Carmel Talks

HAHN Choong-hee, currently Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York discussed many topics during his visit to the academy, including the history of the U.N., his career in diplomacy, Pope Francis' call to protect the Earth and his own personal faith story.

Ambassador HAHN’s major positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include Director-General for Cultural Affairs (2012-2014), Sous-sherpa and Spokesman for the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit (2011-2012), Director-General for Human Resources (2010). He’s also served at the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1991-1994), Lagos (1994-1996), Vienna (1999-2002), and Paris (2008-2010).

Ambassador Hahn received an M.A. in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, a B.A. in French from Seoul National University and studied at the University of Paris.

Tomie dePaola has written and/or illustrated nearly 250 books and sold over 15 million copies worldwide. While at the Academy, Mr. dePaola spoke about his journey to becoming an artist and how his ethnic Catholic upbringing informed his work.

His work has been recognized with the Smithson Medal from the Smithsonian Institution and the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association. He was also the United States nominee in 1990 for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in illustration. The American Library Association has honored him with a Caldecott Honor Book, a Newbery Honor Book, and the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children."

In 1999, he was selected for the New Hampshire's Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Muhammed Muheisen spoke to the Academy students about education throughout the world and offered students a glimpse into the great privilege of having the ability to go to school. Mr. Muheisen’s work has received many international awards, including, Time's Best Wire Photographer of 2013, Breaking News Pulitzer Prize of 2013 from the civil war in Syria, Breaking News Pulitzer Prize of 2005 for covering war in Iraq, POYI, Picture of the year 2007, of Saudi Arabia of the Annual Muslim pilgrimage, best Multimedia of the Annual Israeli photo contest of 2007.

Luis Robles, the starting goalkeeper for New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, spoke to Academy students about his personal journey along with the importance of his Christian faith.

Robles cemented his position as the club's starting goalkeeper during the 2013 season as he started all 34 league matches, helping New York to its first title the MLS Supporters' Shield. He is the only player in league history to make 100 consecutive starts for the same club. Robles was awarded the 2015 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award.