North, South, and in Between:
Understanding Social and Political Change in Argentina, Mexico, and the United States

The concept for the Summer Scholars Program emerged in 1996 from the collaboration of two Georgetown Prep educators, a History teacher, Stephen Maczynski and the Director of the International Department, Rosita Whitman. The goal was initially aimed to foster an interest in the incoming freshman to join the International Relation Club (IRC). Thus, the Summer Scholars Program created an impetus for the International Relations Club.

That first group of 20 students came together in a mock 3-week Presidential election. As part of the program, the group gathered on the steps of the U.S. Congress to meet the Honorable Ms. Connie Morella, the U.S. Democratic Representative from Maryland. They moved on to the Organization of American States (OAS) and culminated the program by holding a successful mock U.S. Presidential convention. Wonder of wonders, Bill Ferguson IV, Maryland State Senator and President of the Maryland State Senate, the youngest person ever elected to this elite body, was with us that day, honing his nascent political path.

Subsequent years opened the program to several local schools including Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and advanced students from the Summer English Program at Georgetown Prep. The interactions of a highly diverse and international group of boys and girls added an exciting element to this already motivated group that provides a stimulating educational opportunity. Over the years, we have sat at the World Bank conference table, dined and danced with Hungarian professionals at Marymount University and visited numerous embassies from China to Israel.