Nat Geo Mundo Travel Contest Launch Event at Bronx High Schools

Optimum Community and New York State Assemblyman Marcos Crespo visited students of Banana Kelly High School and Holcombe L. Rucker School of Community Research to announce the launch of the Nat Geo Mundo Explorer Contest. The contest, sponsored by Optimum Community and Nat Geo Mundo, invites high school students from select schools in the Bronx and Newark, NJ, to apply for a full-scholarship summer travel experience with an emphasis on learning and enrichment. Nat Geo will select one student to participate in the 2015 National Geographic Student Expedition, with program tuition and air travel paid. All trips are led by qualified trip leaders and a National Geographic expert and are provided by National Geographic Student Expeditions. Applicants are required to complete a student travel award application, including personal references and a 300-word essay on what he/she hopes to accomplish through world travel and why they should be selected. Banana Kelly High School assistant principal Marcellus Stovall welcomed students and encouraged them to apply. The 11th and 12th grade students watched a video and learned about the details of the contest and program, and Assemblyman Crespo spoke to them about the benefits of world travel with regard to learning and enrichment.

“I cannot imagine a more fulfilling and interesting educational experience than being selected to participate in the 2015 National Geographic Student Expedition,” said Assemblyman Crespo. “World travel, besides being fun, broadens one’s perspective and knowledge tremendously, so I urge all of you to enter this contest. I also thank Optimum Community and Nat Geo Mundo for providing this opportunity to our young people.”