Jessica Cuevas
On October 20th the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Greater Houston held its 24th annual Jesse H Jones Luncheon where the Council recognizes several individuals as being global leaders of influence, educators of the year, and one individual is recognized as the international citizen of the year at the Post Oak Hotel.
The Sam Houston High School JROTC program presented the flags, while a local youth choir sang our national anthem.
A global leader of influence is recognized by the WAC as an individual who has helped the City of Houston to increase its status as an international city. This year eighteen business leaders were recognized and awarded:
Brenda Boral (Boral Agency), Lisa Darling (Awty International School), Francisco Gonzalez (Lopez Dorada Foods), Alicia Heiskell (GPS International), Linda Lorelle (Lorelle Media), Arthur Lyons (Indust Labs Inc.), Eduardo Marquez (Sidley Austin LLP), Dr. Marie Moreno (Newcomer Success), Grace Olivares (Univision), Kris Pitta (Prudent Resources), Muhammad Saeed Sheikh (Community Organizer), Fernando Signorini (Dow Chemicals), Hilde Janne Skorpen (Consul General of Norway), Val Thompson (International Focus Magazine), Uwem Ukpong (Amazon Web Services), Caroline Verot Moore (Fifth Third Bank), Patty Williams-Downs (OneGoal), and Vanessa Wyche (Johnson Space Center).
. . . that’s seven more than were recognized in 2021!
Over the summer, the ambassadors nominated Professor Yawn for Educator of the Year and we were extremely pleased (but not at all surprised) to find out that he was selected!
Professor Yawn graciously accepted the award as the “International Professor of the Year.”
This was, in fact, the first-ever awarding of this recognition, and WAC Program Director, Ronan O’Malley, noted that “The council is truly fortunate to have Dr. Yawn so earnestly involved with the council; and we are delighted to have his bright and poised LEAP students take part in our events.”
Professor Yawn has taken students to more than 100 of the WAC events, ranging from tours of the Holocaust Museum, meeting Condi Rice, hearing from author David Brooks, learning from General Stanley McChrystal, to meeting heads of state.
Ms. Lori Lambropoulos, the principal of Energy Institute High School, was selected as K-12 Educator of the Year.
Lastly, Greg Hill, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hess Corporation, was awarded the 2022 International Citizen of the Year for helping Houston become the energy capital of the world.
It wouldn’t be a World Affairs Council event without one of their remarkable speaker sessions, so after Mr. Hill received his award and while we ate the delicious meals we were treated to a dialogue between Mr. Hill and current House Minority Leader U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy. Among other topics, they discussed our country on the international stage and how they each came to be where they are now.
Before we could finish our desserts (delicious mini cheesecakes with glazed berries on top) we found ourselves being ushered upstairs with the other students for something even more special: a small-group Q&A with Representative McCarthy and Mr. Hill. We all posed for a group photo before settling into our seats. The room was filled with students who had several questions for both speakers. Alas, time did not permit all questions to be asked. However, I thought that one of the best questions was what would be next on the agenda if Republicans took back the house and Rep. McCarthy was selected as Speaker of the House. His response: focus on our economy (property tax and inflation), a parent’s bill of rights, and much more.
Both Rep. McCarthy and Mr. Hill left us with some advice regarding our actions as aspiring leaders. The message from both men was to never give up—if we get knocked down eight times then we should get back up nine times. With the midterm elections right around the corner, they closed by impressing upon us the importance of young people like us getting out and voting.
As a nice extra, we also had a chance to meet Congressman Brady again. He was honored for his 20 years in Congress.
A big thank you and congratulations to the World Affairs Council staff for yet another successful Jesse H. Jones Luncheon! We look forward to attending many more of the Council’s events in the future. Lastly, thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Oyolu who sponsored our table, and to all other sponsors of student tables for allowing us the opportunity to attend this event! Finally, many congratulations to Professor Yawn for being the International Professor of the Year!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 