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ENGAGE THE
WORLD
Nonprofit gives underserved academic stars a cross-culturaleducation WRITTEN BY CINDYSCHWEICH HANDLER
It ’ salong way from East Orange to Easter Island — and not just because they ’ re 5,200 miles apart . Na ’ Zyia Johnson , anEast Orange native who was raised by her single mom and grandmother , never imagined she would spend time insuch anexotic location , halfway between Chile and Tahiti .
But there she was in the summer of 2019 , watching wild horses trot down the street , admiring the communityprovided sweaters worn by the local stray dogs , and cooking meals in underground ovens . When she watched aChilean school choir perform Bon Jovi ’ s “ Bed ofRoses ,” she understood how far New Jersey-bred pop culture can travel . “ The experience made me feel like Icould go anywhere in the world ,” says Johnson .“ As long as I ’ mwilling to learn , I ’ ll be okay .”
It was her appetite for learning that led Johnson , anacademically gifted student who in 2019 was ajunior at East Orange STEM Academy High School apply to the Student Diplomacy Corps . SDC isanonprofit that , through its relationships with multiple foundations and nominating partners , provides scholarships so underserved , motivated students can experience extended enrichment programs ,
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY ( Above ) Montclair resident and SDC director Tony Allen , second from right , lends ahand asstudents help with anarcheological dig in the Anatolia region of Turkey . ( Opposite ) Na ’ Zyia Johnson poses in front ofamoai ( Polynesian for “ head ”) onEaster Island .
THIS PAGE : PROVIDED BY TONY ALLEN ; OPPOSITE PAGE : PROVIDED BY NA ’ ZYIA JOHNSON
10 MAY 2024 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE