Arundel High Girls Take in 'Vital Voices' Awards

More than a dozen students from Crofton, Gambrills and Odenton spent time with some of the most inspiring women in the world last week.

Fifteen girls from Arundel High School were invited to the Kennedy Center for the annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards, which recognizes the efforts women who have promoted social progress around the world.

Honorees included five women, as well as three brothers from India who have fought to prevent violence against women. 

The students from Arundel are all involved in the schools signature program, which focuses on global citizenship and community development. 

Sophomore Chloe Hill said she found the event uplifting. 

"It's really inspiring to see how they've done these things," she said. "It's shows that anybody can do something." 

Honorees included: 

• Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban, but has continued to fight for education. 
• Dr. Hawa Abdi, of Somalia, who has run a hospital and refugee camp. 
• Sandra Gomes Melo, a Brazilian attorney who heads the Civilian Police Academy. 
• Manal Zraiq, who has worked to build sustainable real estate projects in the Palestinian territories.
• Tep Vanny, who has fought against the practice of land grabbing in Cambodia.
• The Kant Brothers, who have campaigned against violence towards women in India and elsewhere.  

The night included an appearance by Vice President Joe Biden, and also featured the first public appearance by Hillary Clinton since she stepped down as U.S. Secretary of State. 

"How many people can say they've done this, let alone 15-year-olds?" said Sherri Billheimer, the facilitator of the signature program at Arundel. "That's an amazing experience for these girls." 

Sophomore Aly Danick, of Crofton, noted that the honored women came from countries including Pakistan, Cambodia and Somalia, where opportunities for women are scarce. 

"Some of them came from places where they did not have a good background, but they all ended up making a big change," Danick said. 

Billheimer said that women's issues are a component of the school's signature program, but the Vital Voices event allowed the students to get a focused look. She also noted that past attendees went on to carry out service projects. Among those is Aashi Parikh, now a senior at Arundel, who helped spearhead a book club and learning center in Kenya. 

"That's what we want the students to get out of this," Billheimer said. "The idea is to encourage students to make that first step."

You can see videos of all the honorees here on Patch and on YouTube.