Byrd students sought for international competition

Zbyněk Pavlačík, Chairman and Co‐Founder of Jagello 2000 Association, (center) waits for a chemical reaction at the STARBASE Louisiana complex on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 8, 2013. Pavlačík was part of a Czech delegation visiting the Shreveport/Bossier area for a number of reasons. They visited STARBASE at Barksdale to mutually learn about ways to enhance public and defense diplomacy projects that involve civil-military cooperation. The STARBASE program at Barksdale showcases the cooperation between the civilian and military communities to develop education projects for local children. The delegation also toured Byrd High School in Shreveport, La., and met with representatives about the possibilities of their involvement in the Aliante international competition in 2015. The international student competition is for two-member teams of 15 to 19-year-old students. Its purpose is to raise the students’ awareness (knowledge) about history, geography, politics, international affairs and above all security issues and North Atlantic Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston)