Dr. Lindsey Smaka helped launch the Edina Global Scholars Program in 2019 with support from the Rotary Club of Edina. She teaches chemistry at Edina High School and leads students on global and science-focused travel expeditions that connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. Dr. Smaka completed a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in Morocco in 2019 and earned her Ph.D. in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota in 2026. Her research focuses on how place-based learning experiences shape teacher identity and practice across diverse cultural contexts. She is passionate about helping students become curious, engaged, and globally minded learners.​

Email: lindsey.smaka@edinaschools.org

At school, Aditi is a bassoonist in Concert Band, president of the debate team, editor-in-chief of Zephyrus, and president of Civics Club. She also participates in Student Senate, co-leads Mosaic, and is a Hornet Mentor. Outside of school, Aditi loves practicing her instruments (trumpet, bassoon, and piano), golfing recreationally, hiking with family, painting portraits, and spending time with her friends. Her capstone project covered the differences in use and impact of renewable energy between Zimbabwe and Minnesota, as well as its path forward given the incentives and barriers.

Email: aditij27345@isd273.org

Alyson is a member of the Edina Model UN team, Girls United club and runs for Edina’s cross country and track team. Outside of school, Alyson is involved in volunteering at the VA center, playing the piano, and working for Edina Parks and Recreation at Centennial Lakes. In her free time, Alyson enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. She is super excited to be a part of the 2027 Namibia trip and looks forward to becoming more involved in Global Scholars in the upcoming school year. 

Email: alysonm28124@isd273.org

Lauren plays hockey for the Minnesota Blizzard and enjoys spending her free time doing pottery, creating art, gardening, and volunteering at Fairview Southdale Hospital. At school, she serves as President of the American Sign Language Club, participates in HOSA, and is a Hornet Mentor. For her Global Scholars capstone, Lauren is exploring the production and disposal of waste in Bolivia and Minnesota. Through this project, she is comparing how different communities manage waste and examining the environmental impacts of various disposal methods. She hopes her research will deepen her understanding of global environmental challenges and inspire more sustainable practices in communities around the world.

Email: laurenm27668@isd273.org

Marianna is a member of Edina’s speech team and competes in Congressional debate. Outside of school, she participates in summer rowing and golf, and she serves as a youth group leader at her church. In her free time, Marianna loves traveling, surfing, writing poetry, walking, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.​

Email: mariannaa28064@isd273.org

Ada swims for Edina High School and enjoys spending her time hanging out with her friends, watching soccer with her dad, reading, and cooking with her mom. At school, she serves as President of Interact Club and President of French Club. For her Global Scholars capstone, Ada is exploring the effect of overconsumption trash on Lake Uru Uru and the Boundary Waters. Through this project, she is comparing what the two different communities in those areas are doing in order to help reduce pollution in the water. She hopes that her project will increase her understanding of pollution challenges and motivate more people to help their communities' environments. 

Email: adap27791@isd273.org

Cate is a part of many clubs at school, including HOSA, Women in STEM, Interact, and more. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering at We Can Ride, where she teaches people with disabilities how to ride horses. She has lettered in community service every year at Edina High School and once in band. Cate plays bassoon in Concert Band as well as alto saxophone in marching band. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking/baking, and hanging out with friends.  For her Global Scholars Capstone, she is exploring how ethical farming practices are applied in Misokani, Bolivia, compared to Minnesota. Through this project, she will be comparing what those two communities are doing to reduce wasted products and how/if they apply circular farming techniques. She hopes her research will teach people how to reduce excess products on their own farms and teach her how to run a farm when she’s older.

Email: cathrynw27916@isd273.org

Aisha plays badminton, is the leader of the Badminton Club at school, and is a Hornet Mentor. When she's not in school, she edits for an international literary magazine and loves volunteering at the local preschools. In her free time, however, she enjoys reading, writing, snapping photographs, baking sweet treats, and spending time with family and friends. She's hoping to explore public health disparities for her capstone project. 

Email: aishaa27716@isd273.org

Sophia is a member of the Edina Model UN team, HOSA, the Girls United leadership team, and participates in the theater program and the track team. Outside of school, Sophia is involved in coaching volleyball, playing musical instruments such as guitar and piano, volunteering at the Children’s Crisis Nursery, being a part of St. Stephen’s outreach committee, and continuing her training as a certified EMT. In her free time, Sophia enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with her friends and family, and especially going to concerts. She is very excited to be a part of the 2027 Namibia trip and looks forward to the school year and becoming more involved in Global Scholars. 

Email: sophias28534@isd273.org

Selena is a member of the Edina Model UN team, competes in track and field for pole vaulting, is on the leadership team for Edina Girls United, and in the Edina Treble Chorus . In her free time, Selena takes voice lessons, loves hiking, listening to music and going to concerts, traveling, volunteering at Simpson Housing Shelter preparing meals for the homeless, and being with friends and family. Selena is attending the Malta 2026 trip to learn about marine life, sustainable tourism, and scuba diving. 

Email: selenaa28064@isd273.org