School teams up with 15 countries for ’21 summit

Around the world, but virtually School ‘Teams’ up with 15 countries for ‘21 summit

By Emma Parker, Managing Editor

With the pandemic showing no end in sight and international travel not a possibility, the school has decided to host the biennial International Summit virtually.

Schools from 15 different countries plan on meeting virtually over Microsoft Teams and YouTube on Feb. 1-5, 2021.

Events and presentations will be scheduled throughout the week, and virtual host families will have the opportunity to meet international students one on one on weeknights and the weekend.

Approved host family applicants will receive an acceptance email on Dec. 15 and will find out their assigned family on Jan. 8. Meetings for further information will be scheduled and sent out when students find out if they were chosen.

Students were also able to apply to be group leaders and group ambassadors.

“I will definitely consider it this year, since it doesn’t take that much time to host since it’s online,” junior Antonio Saladrigas said. “I think it would be nice to get to know someone else and see how their country is dealing with the pandemic as well as just getting to know their culture.”

Students who weren’t chosen or didn’t apply for an official role can still participate during the summit with in-class presentations, classroom visits and planned YouTube live streams.

More information will be released to the general student body about specific activities planned for the summit after the new year.

For specific questions, please email Assistant Principal Samaroo at jill.samaroo@ browardschools.com.

Jingyi Mei from Chongqing Fudan Secondary School plays the guzheng during the assembly in the gym at the 2019 International Summit. Fudan students also wrote a message in Chinese calligraphy to everyone who participated: “Peace and pure respect to Pompano Beach High School. We honor students from all over the world, and we will be family forever.”

PHOTO BY JEAN PAUL CARRASCO