2008 Graduating Class

This section provides brief profiles and photos of the Davis United World College Scholars Program’s graduating Class of 2008.

During the preparation of this yearbook, each senior scholar responded to several questions from the Davis UWC Scholars Program. They wrote about the impact of their college experience on their lives, learning, and goals. Many also briefly described their plans and hopes for the future. The profiles that follow quote from their responses.

A B C D E-F G H I-J K L M N O-Q R S T U-V W-Z

	Magarya S. Waitara Tanzania Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Macalester College Macalester has been a unique place for me to grow personally and to believe in myself. Much credit goes to such programs as the Lilly Pluralism and Unity Program, which helped me understand myself and much of the social influences that shape who we are. I also have enjoyed traveling and playing intramural sports. Thanks to the Davis UWC Scholar Program for the support. There is still much more to learn, but in future years, I hope to go into civil service.
	Philosophy Walker USA UWC-USA Vassar College At Vassar, I’ve been able to explore my writing, something that has been important to me since I was very young. My senior thesis is a book of poems that I hope to publish in the next year or so. It might seem silly to want to be a poet, but it’s what I love. I’m also planning to go to journalism school so I can use my passion for writing to inform the public and spread the word about important events or experiences.
	Mwaura Wambiga Kenya Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Earlham College Hamjambo! As I reflect back at the last six years, I can only say that it has been a blessing to be a part of the UWC movement. I am humbled by the generosity of individuals such as Shelby Davis who have changed the lives of many young people. My college career has been geared towards achieving success so that I might go back to Kenya and establish a similar program so others will benefit from the same generosity I have.
	Lucia Dong Wang New Zealand Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Macalester College Throughout college, I’ve continued the spirit of community service initiated during my UWC years. Connection with local community and working for its improvement have been the most rewarding experiences. My participation in the Off Campus Employment Program and Philips Scholar Program has been instrumental in propagating this involvement. I will graduate with a double major in biology and anthropology, and I believe this combination of scientific and social perspective about health has prepared me well for a career in medicine and community development.
	Allison West USA UWC-USA Middlebury College My Arabic studies underpinned my Middlebury experience. My year of study in Syria was a culmination of the journey that began when I left home for UWC, speaking only English and never having left the country. I started that journey full of ideals, which have since weathered, tempered, and matured by contact with the world’s many contradictory realities. I continue to carry them with me, however, as I leave Middlebury, hopefully to work in Palestine before attending graduate school.
	Magdalena Wierzbicka Poland UWC of the Adriatic, Italy Hamilton College I have always wanted my life to be the never-ending adventure of discovering new places, meeting new people, and finding ways to communicate with them. As a Davis UWC Scholar at Hamilton College, I pursued a sociolinguistics study in Canada and participated in two, life-enriching, study-abroad programs, during which — apart from improving my French and Mandarin — I volunteered for UNICEF (Paris) and taught English (Sichuan, China). In the future, I hope to pursue graduate studies in comparative international education.
	Kris Wilson USA UWC-USA Middlebury College The Davis scholarship program has broadened my world many times over. After Middlebury, I wish to become a teacher at a UWC or other private high school and then become a doctor and a positive presence in everyday life. I have thoroughly enjoyed directing and dancing in the Riddim World Dance Troupe and being involved in the residential life at Middlebury. Community service in New Orleans and Januaries shadowing doctors in Middlebury and Ethiopia have been extremely eye-opening experiences.
	Woan Foong Wong Malaysia Mahindra UWC, India Oberlin College Have you dealt with grain beetle infestations in 25-pound bags of dried foods? Have you canned peaches? Or made your own tofu? As operations manager of the most extensive, student-run cooperative in the United States, I did. I’m now treasurer of the Oberlin Students Co-operative Association. I have Ohio health code certification and handle a $2.3 million budget for this 630-member organization. After Oberlin, I want to go into developmental economics, advising newly industrialized or developing countries’ governments on growth and debt-restructuring policies.
	Xiangming Wu China Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Methodist University Methodist University gave me a chance to extend my international experiences and spread international understanding. The UWC experience is hard because there are always new experiences and understandings to absorb; it is responsible because I need to interact with others to spread international understanding. Although I did not accomplish my expectations, I gave it all my effort, and I will not lose my passion for international experiences. After graduation, with a degree in financial economics and mathematics, I will pursue a Ph.D. program in economics.
	Zhiwen Ye China Mahindra UWC, India Wellesley College Thanks to Shelby Davis, I am fortunate to attend Wellesley College, one of the best colleges in the United States. I enjoyed studying and socializing with hardworking and talented students. As an economics major, I like going to the lectures in the department and discussing economic issues with others. Mr. Davis inspired me, and, after college, I will do my best to contribute my skills and knowledge to our society.
	Natallia Yesaulenka Belarus Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Methodist University Methodist University and UWC changed my life; I am very lucky that I had the opportunity to attend both these schools. My major is business administration with a concentration in resort management, and I love it. I’ve discovered what I am passionate about. The resort industry offers so many opportunities in the United States as well as all over the world. This experience has opened many doors for me; now I need only to decide which one to step through.
	Ntokozo Xaba South Africa UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Hamilton College I am itching to go home, to the world. My experience in UWC and subsequent Hamilton experience has made me view the world as my own. I can safely say that I am now a citizen of world. Thank you Mr. Davis, and everyone else that I’ve met along the way.
	Sunny Lee Yang USA UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Cornell University Future ambition once held little meaning for me, but I’ve developed leadership and drive through becoming co-president of Society for Women in Business, cafe manager, and contributor to the school newspaper. Landing a coveted Wall Street internship was the ultimate achievement. I am now devoted to participating in career panels and coordinating Wall Street events to inspire undergraduates seeking the same path. I will start my career in New York City, but I hope to end up in Asia in the finance, fashion, or hospitality industry.
	Neha Maryam Zaigham Pakistan Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Colby College Six years ago, I was content with finishing high school at home, getting an undergraduate degree at home, and starting my first job at home. The UWC subverted every expectation I had for myself, and Colby initiated me into a plethora of untapped knowledge, resources, opportunities, and relationships, all of which have molded my being. I thank Mr. Davis for providing me with this incredible opportunity, my professors for driving me, my friends for supporting me, and my family for always believing in me.
	Guillermina Zamora Nicaragua Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Methodist University At Methodist, I have struggled to overcome many obstacles to achieve my goals. I extend thanks to the Davis family for this opportunity and to Mrs. Magda Baggett for all the support that she has given me since we met at UWC. My parents always have been there for me, especially my father, a true source of strength and courage. I love you, Dad, and I dedicate all my achievements to you; I can only pray that you will overcome your health issues.
	Weiwei Chen China Pearson UWC, Canada Wellesley College
	Wing Sze Hung Hong Kong Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Yale University
	Ahmad Kairi Jordan Pearson UWC, Canada Harvard College
	Siu Yu Kwan Republic of Singapore UWC of Southeast Asia, Singapore Cornell University
	Gary Soedarsono Indonesia UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Cornell University