Junior Imari Owens Wins National Travel Award
Imari has demonstrated leadership in the Gerstell Academy chapter of the SHH for the past two and a half years. Her understanding and use of the Gerstell Leadership Model empowered her to approach the extensive application process for this highly competitive award which produced an exciting result: an all-expense paid trip to Panamá July 15-22, 2024.
Each SHH chapter in the United States may choose just one junior member to apply for this award. As the candidate from Gerstell Academy´s Capítulo Julia Álvarez, Imari submitted samples of her written and oral work in Spanish to a selection committee appointed by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. She spoke about her motivation for continuing to study Spanish and wrote an essay in which she explained why she would investigate further the “mola” if she had an opportunity to visit the country.
The mola, or “shirt” or “clothing” in the language of the Kuna people, originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometric designs. Eventually, these same designs were woven in cotton.
The mola, or “shirt” or “clothing” in the language of the Kuna people, originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometric designs. Eventually, these same designs were woven in cotton.
Image: Enclosed Bird Mola Panel (detail), mid 1900s. Republic of Panamá, Gunayala Comarca, Guna people, Sugtupo community. Cotton: reverse appliqué. All images courtesy of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
As part of her investigation, Imari contacted the Museo de la Mola in Panama City in Spanish and requested a virtual meeting with a docent. As a result, Imari spoke in Spanish with Ms. Leonardo Pérez on Zoom for about 30 minutes. Imari’s leadership in the Gerstell chapter of the SHH is remarkable.
Imari won the 2023 National Spanish Exam Global Citizen Scholarship as a sophomore and participated for one week in the Concordia Language Villages Summer Immersive Program last summer. She also earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy, Level 1, Functional Fluency and plans to study AP Spanish Language and Culture next year as a senior.
She is helping to plan events, such as, a spring fair to celebrate Hispanic cultures. Notably this school year, Imari teaches Spanish to a kindergarten class on Fridays. Imari’s additional honors in Spanish include a bronze medal and a certificate of honorable mention on the National Spanish Exam.
Gerstell Academy has a long history of excellence in academics and has maintained an active chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica for 16 years. Congratulations to Imari and her Spanish teacher, Dr. Teresa Greppi.
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
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Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
