Claes Nobel opens the World Scholar-Athlete Games

Australian contingent with Claes Nobel at the Games

Claes Nobel, senior member of the Nobel Prize family and founder of The National Society of High School Scholars, opened the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games with a welcoming speech to over 2,000 young people from over 160 countries. This fourth edition of the Scholar-Athlete Games was held in Kingston and Newport, Rhode Island, bringing together talented scholar-athletes and scholar-artists. NSHSS members were invited to participate in the Games, and made a strong showing. The Institute for International Sport (IIS), which sponsors the games, says its mission is to "capture the power of sport as a medium to foster friendship and goodwill." Participants include students aged 15 to 19 from all 50 U.S. states and more than 175 countries who have demonstrated a commitment to academics and athletic or artistic achievement.

Along with Mr. Nobel, President Bill Clinton and Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly spoke on topics such as ethics, sportsmanship, world peace, immigration and other current issues. The competition does not pit countries against one another; the teams are comprised of a mixture of scholar-athletes from all over the world to help promote the idea of world unity. Mr. Nobel stated, "I am honored that our members have the opportunity to participate in these Games through our partnership with the Institute for International Sport. Together we stand united in our commitment to the recognition and shepherding of excellence in today's global youth community." The Games format saw scholar-athletes and scholar-artists divided into culturally diverse groups to take part in either sporting or cultural pursuits and group discussions on global issues such as world peace, non-violence, world hunger, the environment, ethics and fair play, and various leadership programs. Participants compete in sports such as basketball, rugby and football and participate in programs for choir, photography, theater and other arts.

In addition to the sports and arts programs, the games host theme days during which students listen to speakers and discuss topics of global importance, including the environment, world peace, and world hunger and nutrition.

Speakers included Claes Nobel from the Nobel Peace Prize family, Bill O'Reilly, former president William Jefferson Clinton, delegates from the United Nations, Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Xue Di, author Sue Ellen Thompson, Olympic skier Bode Miller and senator George Mitchell. Nightly entertainment included several bands as well as stars from The Real World and Laguna Beach.

"Our son was invited to attend the World Scholar-Athlete games through his membership n NSHSS. It is by far the most exciting and thought-provoking opportunity he has yet to experience during his high school years. I thank you NSHSS for providing this opportunity! I am awed watching youth from 160 countries and territories reach out to each other and hold hands. The friendships they are developing in this short week will most certainly aid in future world peace. It is amazing to see these bright, talented young men and women from all over the world compete together, perform together, discuss world issues together, and support each other."

Barbara Commers
Parent of Bjorn Commers
Becker High School 2006
Clear Lake, Minnesota

Visit the website for additional information about IIS and the World Scholar-Athlete Games.

Tyler Jean at the Games

"I was selected to participate in the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games (WSAG) at the University of Rhode Island. My acceptance to this event was based on my extra-curricular activities, grades, athleticism, and community involvement. This was the most incredible, amazing and awesome experience-definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So many people coming together to participate in different events with the one purpose: to unite. The Games unites both athletics and culture in discussions about issues that affect all of our lives--ethics and sportsmanship, world peace, world hunger and poverty and global environment.

I played basketball at the WSAG, and my team placed 2nd in pool play. One player from each team was chosen MVP to play in the all-star game against the coaches and I was chosen from my team. The coaches won in a nail-biter: 35-34. I feel privileged to have represented Moore County High School in Lynchburg, Tennessee; it was a great learning experience for me."

Tyler Jean
Moore County High School 2008
Lynchburg, Tennessee