Marysville girls named student ambassadors
Published on Wed, Jul 15, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
Franceska "Franqui" Rojas and Julie Hodgen formed a close bond of friendship when they represented the community as Junior Royalty during the 2008 Strawberry Festival and the summer parade circuit. Now they've embarked on a new adventure as student ambassadors with People to People, an educational travel program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.
Franqui, the daughter of Jacqueline and Mario Rojas, is a student at 10th Street Middle School. Julie, whose parents are Jan and Dan Hodgen, attends Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville. Both are 13 years old.
The girls left Sunday, July 12, for a 16-day trip to Australia as members of the Pacific Northwest People to People delegation. By participating in the Australia 2009 itinerary, the students can earn academic credit while getting to know more about the people, culture and history of The Land Down Under.
"It's a really exciting adventure," said Franqui on the day before her trip began. "Julie and I really bonded during the Strawberry Festival activities, and we're going to have so much fun in Australia."
Julie added that the experience with the local festival helped prepare her for the coming trip. "I learned how to get in front of large groups and be comfortable with public speaking," she explained.
"We want to do a good job as representatives of our community and our country," Franqui added. "It's important that we make a good impression for the U.S."
Acceptance into the Student Ambassador Program is an honor. After being invited to enroll, the girls were required to submit several letters of recommendation from teachers and other adults before successfully completing the interview process. Several orientation meetings were held prior to departure with program leaders to learn about the destination, meet their fellow delegates and prepare for the journey. The northwest delegation consists of approximately 30 students.
Franqui and Julie will travel under the leadership of John Hewitt, a teacher-leader from Grove Street Elementary School in Marysville, with assistance from fellow teacher Lynne Van Duren.
Franqui and Julie will take part in a variety of activities that include snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, spending time with a homestead family, and visiting a tropical rainforest. The delegation will spend time in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney along the eastern coast in New South Wales, as well as traveling north to Cairns in Queensland.
Having served as a military commander, President Eisenhower believed that ordinary citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not.
"I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations require mutual respect between individuals," said Eisenhower. He put the ideal behind these words into practice when he founded People to People in 1956. Since that time, People to People has benefited from a legacy of White House support, with eight U.S. presidents serving as honorary chairmen of People to People International.
For information about the student ambassador program and other educational travel opportunities through People to People, visit www.peopletopeople.com.
Franqui, the daughter of Jacqueline and Mario Rojas, is a student at 10th Street Middle School. Julie, whose parents are Jan and Dan Hodgen, attends Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville. Both are 13 years old.
The girls left Sunday, July 12, for a 16-day trip to Australia as members of the Pacific Northwest People to People delegation. By participating in the Australia 2009 itinerary, the students can earn academic credit while getting to know more about the people, culture and history of The Land Down Under.
"It's a really exciting adventure," said Franqui on the day before her trip began. "Julie and I really bonded during the Strawberry Festival activities, and we're going to have so much fun in Australia."
Julie added that the experience with the local festival helped prepare her for the coming trip. "I learned how to get in front of large groups and be comfortable with public speaking," she explained.
"We want to do a good job as representatives of our community and our country," Franqui added. "It's important that we make a good impression for the U.S."
Acceptance into the Student Ambassador Program is an honor. After being invited to enroll, the girls were required to submit several letters of recommendation from teachers and other adults before successfully completing the interview process. Several orientation meetings were held prior to departure with program leaders to learn about the destination, meet their fellow delegates and prepare for the journey. The northwest delegation consists of approximately 30 students.
Franqui and Julie will travel under the leadership of John Hewitt, a teacher-leader from Grove Street Elementary School in Marysville, with assistance from fellow teacher Lynne Van Duren.
Franqui and Julie will take part in a variety of activities that include snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, spending time with a homestead family, and visiting a tropical rainforest. The delegation will spend time in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney along the eastern coast in New South Wales, as well as traveling north to Cairns in Queensland.
Having served as a military commander, President Eisenhower believed that ordinary citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not.
"I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations require mutual respect between individuals," said Eisenhower. He put the ideal behind these words into practice when he founded People to People in 1956. Since that time, People to People has benefited from a legacy of White House support, with eight U.S. presidents serving as honorary chairmen of People to People International.
For information about the student ambassador program and other educational travel opportunities through People to People, visit www.peopletopeople.com.
blog comments powered by Disqus
