March 5, 2021
Pohnpei—In late February, United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced a new International Anticorruption Champions Award. One of the twelve awardees is Ms. Sophia Pretrick, Investigative Advisor for the Compliance Investigation Division of the Pohnpei State Auditor of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Ms. Pretrick almost single-handedly raised the profile of anticorruption activities in the FSM through her unique blend of government intervention and grassroots advocacy. One of the recent highlights of her years of service was a partnership between her office and the Pohnpei office of Youth-4-Change, a local NGO that addresses health, teen pregnancy, and anticorruption concerns. Youth-4-Change wrote and performed a pop song that has been played on local radio for over 18 months and reached thousands of youth with its message about the role each person plays in fighting corruption.