At UWC Costa Rica, our mission is to cultivate the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet–learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime. We are immensely proud to see those values reflected on the global stage: Maea Lenei Buhre ‘09 has been honored with a prestigious Peabody Award for her work as a producer with PBS NewsHour.
Maea contributed to the award-winning series “Immigration Crackdown,” an extensive investigative project that provided a multidimensional look at one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. immigration policy in decades. The Peabody judges recognized the series for its “sweeping, authoritative, and balanced coverage,” highlighting how it moved beyond breaking news to share the real-world stories of those directly affected.
Bringing Human Stories to the Forefront
Maea’s journalism is a masterclass in the “experiential learning” we champion at the College. Her work on the series included deep reporting on the ground, such as:
- “Immigration raid protests spread to more cities”: A detailed look at the civil response and the human anxiety sparked by policy shifts.
- “Downey residents react after immigration raids”: Capturing the voices of communities near Los Angeles grappling with sudden change.
- “Life for refugees in the U.S.”: Highlighting the personal stakes for those seeking a new beginning.
By tracing “cause, intent, and consequence over time,” Maea’s reporting embodies the critical thinking and global perspective that students develop when they choose to study at UWC Costa Rica. Her success demonstrates that a UWC Costa Rica education is a foundation for a lifetime of impact. Whether our alums are reporting on human rights or leading sustainability initiatives, they carry the tools they gained here in Costa Rica to make a difference.
Join the Movement
Are you ready to become a changemaker? If you are a student or parent interested in a residential high school in Costa Rica that prepares you to serve humanity, we invite you to explore our admissions process.
Maea Lenei Buhre ‘11 is a shining example of what a UWC education can take you to. We congratulate her on this incredible milestone and are inspired by her dedication to telling the stories that the world needs to hear.