| WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL |
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 Greenfield High School Students Take First Place in SALINAS, CA – For the fourth year in a row, the Monterey County Office of Education has partnered with the World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay Area (WACMB) to host the regional Academic World Quest Competition. Six teams of high school students from across Monterey County gathered on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for an exciting test of global knowledge and critical thinking. Academic World Quest (AWQ) is a rigorous team challenge that assesses students’ understanding of international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Competing in teams of four, students answered questions spanning ten critical global topics ranging from “Pop Culture and Soft Power in International Relations” to “Tariffs and Trade,” showcasing their depth of knowledge and collaborative skills. Congratulations to Greenfield High School for taking first place in our regional Academic World Quest competition. The three team members, Marvin Johnson, Heriberto Hernandez, and Fabian Serrano, along with their coach, Evangelina Mateo, will travel to Washington, D.C. in April to participate in the national Academic World Quest competition. Funds raised by WACMB will cover travel expenses, enabling these Monterey County students to compete on the national stage. Coach Mateo shared that she tells her students, “Always be humble and always focus on your progress and hard work and not what others are doing.” Reflecting on the regional competition, Eddie Hernandez, Greenfield High School team leader, said, "We’re proud that we got to represent Greenfield. Coming in as a team of three, we are thrilled to have been able to win the competition." Monterey County Office of Education Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Ralph Porras, praised the students’ achievement, saying, “We are so very proud of our World Academic Quest participants for their dedication to global learning and the incredible effort they demonstrated in the regional competition. This experience will not only broaden their understanding of the world around them, but also encourage and empower them to become tomorrow’s compassionate leaders, creative problem solvers, and positive change makers.” Academic WorldQuest inspires a culture of global engagement in schools across the United States. Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is a flagship program of the national network of World Affairs Councils, located in more than 90 communities across the country. It is a team game testing high school students’ knowledge of international affairs, current events, human geography, world history, and culture. After studying the ten topics, approximately 4,000 students across the country participate in competitions hosted by local World Affairs Councils. Winning teams are invited to represent their high school, city, and local council at the national AWQ competition, held in the spring each year at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC. Topics for this year’s competition are listed below, however only schools/teams that register will receive the full study guide from the World Affairs Council of America. Pop Culture and Soft Power in International Relations The FIFA World Cup Migration and Immigration The US Constitution and Foreign Policy The Belt and Road Initiative Tariffs and Trade Coffee and Chocolate: A Global Perspective Nuclear Policy Issues Australia is the focus country Current Events To see the study guide for these topics please visit: |
