From the tallest sandcastle ever made to the first nuclear power submarine, Connecticut is home to a multitude of world records. One record sticks out more than others: the soon-to-be first female to travel to all the countries in the world.

Cassie Depecol, a 27-year-old from Washington, CT, embarked on her journey in July to promote peace through sustainable tourism.

Her interest in sustainable tourism evolved after attending her first year at Long Island University Global College in Costa Rica, where she’s traveled to rainforests, visited indigenous cultures, and studied socio-economic and political affairs. Such activities piqued her humanitarian ideas of combining the experience of exquisite natural environments while benefitting the economies of local cultures.

Depecol credits her yearning for travel to her educational background. She is now on an international expedition to travel to all sovereign nations as an International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) Ambassador for Peace.

Out of the 196 countries in the world, she has visited 183. Her travels consist of visiting schools to attend student meetings in each country. She has been to all nations of South America, North America, Oceania, and Europe. To complete her world record attempt, she has 13 countries to go: eight in Africa and five in Asia. The terms of the record require that she travel to all 196 sovereign nations in less than three years and three months.

Depecol has raised $209,060 through work and sponsorships to help towards completing her expedition.

Corrynne Medina, Staff Writer

Senior Corrynne Medina is a staff writer for the 2016-2017 Colonel. She plays varsity basketball and softball and participates in Young Marines. After graduation, she will be going into the United States Marine Corps.