Page 57 - Menlo Magazine Summer 2019

M E N L O M A G A Z I N E
Bill Reese visits Fundación Pescar of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2010. Pescar was a partner of IYF’s under the entra21 employability initiative
In his roles with the International Youth Foundation, especially, Bill used his platform to advocate for young people in poverty, saying, “Given their ability to look at old problems in new ways, youth are uniquely equipped to change the world. Their energy and idealism propel them to take risks and think in innovative, path-breaking ways.”
“We must remain focused on ensuring young people everywhere have the financial means to support themselves and their families,” Bill said. “That means a decent job and a paycheck or sustained self-employment via a business start-up that can survive and grow. If we can’t close this education and job skills training gap, then young people will be unable to work their way out of poverty and join the middle class, and our efforts to grow an inclusive and vibrant world economy will be in vain.”
Now residing near Washington, DC, Bill reflected on his journey and what’s next for him.
“Looking back, I’m proud of the work I was able to do in helping young people around the world build better lives for themselves and their families,” he said. “Looking forward, I don’t think I’m done, because this is the kind of work that won’t be finished as long as there are youth who just need a small boost to let them reach their full potential.”
“I had wonderful teachers and mentors at Menlo who helped shape me into the person I am today, and I like to think those experiences played a part in my ultimate vocation,” he shares. “I’m thankful I had opportunities to expand my horizons at Menlo because it was during those key years that I developed the mindset that I could take certain risks that have allowed me to build a career and life around promoting economic and social development.”
Past Halverson
Award Recipients
2014 - Shawna Mitchell Sisler ’97 2012 - Robert Richmond ’77 2010 - Maureen Eger ’95
2007 - Col. William H. Welker ’51 2005 - Leonard P. Edwards ’59 2000 - Wallace F. Davis ’35
1999 - Mark T. Curtis ’74
1998 - L. Blake Baldwin ’69
1997 - Robert A. Lurie ’45
1996 - Warren E.“Ned” Spieker, Jr. ’62 1995 - Kim H. Pearman ’57
1994 - Johnny Ray Crockett ’74 1993 - Leslie S. DeWitt ’66
1992 - A. H. “Harry” Brawner, Jr. ’41 1991 - Donald H. Tollefson ’69
See more information online at www. menloschool.org/alumni/halverson-award.php.
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