CREC Metropolitan Learning Center Graduate Recognized by World Affairs Council of Connecticut for Social Justice Work

During her freshman year at CREC Metropolitan Learning Center for
Global and International Studies, Raena Davis joined a student
abolitionist group devoted to bringing awareness to the community about
modern-day slavery and human trafficking. It was the beginning of
Raena’s commitment to global affairs.
“Many of my previous
teachers hadn’t talked about human trafficking. Slavery was taught as an
antiquated practice that had been abolished,” said Davis, 18, of
Hartford. “But human trafficking is prevalent today, not only abroad but
in the United States and the state of Connecticut.”
By the time
she graduated from CREC MLC in June, Raena was leading Student
Abolitionists Stopping Slavery (SASS) and was teaching middle school art
classes about human trafficking. During school, Raena had the
opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic to work on a community
service project in the municipality of Jarabacoa.
Because of her
work towards improving the lives of others, Raena is among 12 graduating
high school seniors who are being recognized by the World Affairs
Council (WAC) with the Global Student Leadership Award. The award is
given to students who have demonstrated a high interest in and have gone
above and beyond to get involved in global affairs.
Raena will
attend Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, VT this fall and plans to
study Biology with a minor in Spanish. She hopes to continue to engage
with global affairs by taking part in study abroad programs, and plans
to pursue a career in biological research, personal entrepreneurial
enterprises, or journalism.
“In my opinion, it’s very important
to have a broad cultural awareness when exploring foreign environments. I
am also interested in becoming more involved in politics and seeing
what changes I can make at the student level as someone who is
service-minded,” she said.
Raena advises high school students to
take advantage of opportunities that allow them to see the world and
find where they can make the most positive impact. She is excited to see
and interpret the world for herself in the future.