Power 100 Wrap: Minnesota Steps It Up

February 26th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

The 2nd Annual Power 100 Summit was a great success with many speakers that helped student leaders like myself learn that we can make a difference by strengthening our own grassroots efforts that we hold dear to our hearts. Many of the speakers were very confident that we can still move forward with aid and helping our world’s poorest people. This is something that will help strengthen our own economy and help make a difference around the world.

As the COA for Minnesota and Iowa, I take large pride in 3 of the schools that made the top 100 this year (Luther College, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.) As a Minnesota boy from the Twin Cities, “Minnesota Step it Up.”

You may be wondering how all 100 student leaders were able to afford to travel to Washington DC. The answer is it was absolutely free no strings attached, just peer advocacy training so that student leaders have something to bring back to their colleges and build a stronger ONE Chapter. And of course we had a blast ice skating, walking around DC during free time, and of course 100 college students all in a hotel…I don’t think I have to say any more!

The best part of the entire summit this year, in my opinion, was being able to do what we all do best, lobby on the Hill! This was a great learning experience for those that have never met with staff or their member of Congress. It was a great time to emphasize the MDG’s and how important these goals are to the success of the world.

I would just like to say it is not to late to become involved in doing what you can to make your voice heard in Washington to end global poverty and preventable disease. No matter if you are in the top 100 schools or not, we all have the ability to make change in this world. I urge you all to become involved as much as you can to help make POVERTY HISTORY!

Peace!

-Steven Thai, Luther College