Three high school students from Wisconsin recently returned from the Global Youth Institute (GYI) in Des Moines, Iowa, where they participated as the state’s youth delegates. The institute, which took place Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 during the annual World Food Prize International Symposium, is an opportunity for high school students to gather together with peers, educators, researchers and policy makers from around the nation and the world to discuss challenges and solutions to world hunger and poverty.

“The most special part about this experience is that it helps you truly understand that the world is bigger than just your community or state,” says Riya Kalluvila, a student at Hartford Union High School in Hartford, whose GYI presentation focused on malnutrition in Yemen. “I enjoyed having the chance to be a part of a team! I am very lucky to say that I have so many close friends [through this experience].”

In addition to Kalluvila, Wisconsin’s student delegates to the 2024 GYI included Hannah Lee from Middleton High School in Middleton, and Kai Mavity Maddalena from Étude High School in Sheboygan.

The Wisconsin delegates were selected during the tenth annual Wisconsin Youth Institute (WYI) event hosted by the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) this past April. To participate in the WYI, students research, write and submit a paper about a global food security issue under the supervision of a teacher or mentor. During the day-long WYI program, they present and discuss their research papers with their peers and university faculty, staff and graduate students. They also tour the UW–Madison campus and learn about student research opportunities at the university. Fifty high school students participated in the WYI this year, and three were selected to attend the GYI as Wisconsin delegates.

Educators who choose to attend the Global Youth Institute as chaperones have the opportunity to participate in professional development programming.

Participating students are eligible for internships and fellowships. Riya Kalluvila, who attended both the 2023 and 2024 Wisconsin Youth Institute, was selected for the Borlaug Ruan International Internship. This summer she traveled to Hyderabad, India, where she conducted plant research at the World Vegetable Center.

“Being selected for this internship was a dream come true for me as a high school student passionate about environmental science research,” says Kalluvila. “My time in India deepened my understanding of the environmental challenges we face and the innovative solutions being developed to address them. These experiences enhanced my resolve to pursue a career where I can contribute to creating sustainable solutions for the future.”

Kara Henderlight, student outreach coordinator for UW–Madison CALS, organized and led the trip to Iowa. She also coordinates and oversees the WYI event. 

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Youth Institute website at https://go.wisc.edu/wisconsinyouthinstitute or contact Kara Henderlight at kara.henderlight@wisc.edu.