Along with 200 students from nine different countries, Nolan Monaghan (12) was recently accepted into the Iowa Youth Institute.

After researching drought insurance for farmers in rural Northern Ghana and seeing how he could improve it, Monaghan wrote and submitted his research last March to the Iowa Youth Institute. Monaghan was then accepted into the Iowa Youth Institute and traveled to Ames in March to present his paper to a panel of experts.

Monaghan was named a Borlaug Scholar at the state level and received a $500 scholarship to attend Iowa State University.

One fifth of the Iowa Youth Institute entries advanced to the The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute and Monaghan was one of them. The Global Level is a three-day conference with various speakers from companies and organizations, activities and a panel discussion.

Monaghan said, “The speakers were so knowledgeable and fun to listen to.”

The Oxfam Hunger Banquet was Monaghan’s favorite activity. Students were divided into three different groups. Twenty percent of the people were upper class, 30 percent middle class, and 50 percent lower class. Monaghan ended up being in the upper class.

“It was a great simulation of world hunger and puts a lot of it into perspective,” Monaghan said. “I also really enjoyed the food. I had Nigerian ramen and a black eyed pea fritter.”

Monaghan and teacher Diane May both enjoyed interacting with different student and the professionals from different countries and states at the The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute.