Economics classes host high-profile panel discussion

Evan Moloney, News Editor

 

As the school year’s first semester draws to a close, sophomores across Hollis-Brookline High School are preparing for their final days with some of their teachers. But instead of getting ready for a goodbye, teacher Katie Pine’s Economics classes are getting ready for something different–a panel discussion, prepared by Pine, on new trends emerging in the global economy.

Pine has spent a semester educating her students on the nature of the economy, but at this point in the year, she wants to create a broader parting message.

“I tell my students, ‘It’s my last unit with you, and I want to send you out into the world knowing what’s really happening in the global economy–the real trends.’”

To this end, Pine has prepared a three-person panel discussion for her students and the rest of the school to experience. The discussion will take place on Tuesday, January 13, during CavBlock in Room 221. All students are welcome.

One speaker on the panel is Moira Sullivan, a Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Sullivan had made plans with Pine to hold a Skype conversation with the class at an earlier date, but on the night before the event, the United States called off its trade embargo with Cuba. As a result, Sullivan had to meet with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and the HBHS presentation was rescheduled.

In the time between the first attempt at the discussion and this one, Pine took advantage of the less-than-ideal situation to secure two other panelists to join Sullivan. William Maddocks, Coordinator of the Sustainable Microenterprise and Development Program at the University of New Hampshire, is described by Pine as a “microfinance guru”, and has agreed to appear at his wife’s (Lin Illingworth’s) school and contribute to the presentation. In addition, Principal Richard Barnes was a stock trader before becoming a school administrator, and will be talking about how students can use education to prepare for and be competitive in the global economy.

Again, the discussion will take place on Tuesday, January 13, during CavBlock in Room 221. All students are welcome.