The European Council of International Schools announced
the winner of the very first Award for International Understanding at St.
Andrews International School in Rayong recently. This award was presented to
Marisa Malhotra, a 13 year old, outstanding Year 9 student of the school.
Marisa
Malhotra, a 13 year old, outstanding Year 9 student at St. Andrews
International School in Rayong was recently awarded the first European
Council of International Schools Award for International Understanding.
This prestigious mark of distinction is awarded to a
student who is a good representative of her own country, with a positive
attitude toward the life and culture of others, able to converse in at least
two languages, a contributing force in the life of the school, with the
ability to bring differing people together into a sense of community, thus
furthering the cause of international understanding.
Representing the ECIS at the presentation, David Lawder,
head of St. Andrews said, “ECIS established the prize to give public
recognition to those who best exemplify the principles of good international
citizenship. Thus this award carries with it not only our acknowledgement of
your achievements to date, but our sincere hope that your future will
continue to be marked by a commitment to goodwill and understanding amongst
all peoples. The international education you have experienced has clearly
given you an uncommon perspective on both the potential and the means for
co-operation amongst those of very different backgrounds. Your generation
faces great global challenges. We trust you will continue to use the special
talents and perspective recognised in the ECIS award for the furtherance of
international understanding.”
David continued, saying, “We are proud of you as a
product of one of our own international schools, and are happy to have had
the opportunity to offer this recognition. We are counting on you for the
future.”
Marisa expressed her uncontrollable excitement as she
received the ward, saying, “I thank my teachers for guiding me and
motivating me to participate in all the school activities, which I have in
turn been able to pass on to my fellow students of Keystage 3, giving them
motivation and determination to succeed in everything they do.”
Marisa went on to say, “I am very proud to be the first recipient of
this award at St. Andrews. This is a great honour for my family and me. My
parents will be very proud. I will work even harder in my studies and in
sports. I will continue to bond together children of every nationality and
religion into a family of love and international understanding. I wish every
one all the success in whatever they do and most of all I wish for ‘world
peace.”
