Mason 7th-grader will see the world as an ambassador
Randy Anderson was selected for People to People program, is raising money to go.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
A Mason Middle School student is a step away from exploring the world with a purpose.
Randy Anderson, a seventh-grader, was selected to visit several overseas cities as a People to People student ambassador this summer.
Extras
Get latest headlines via RSS feedsThen-president Dwight Eisenhower started the program to build peace between nations through citizens.
The $7,000 price tag has Randy and his mom, Ruby, seeking local support.
Randy won a $2,000 International Merit Scholarship through the program. The two have raised about $3,500 through candy bar sales, community donations and LaRosa's Pizzeria Buddy Cards.
Randy even cleaned out garages and cut his church members' grass to earn money for the trip.
The honor student hopes to travel with a group of about 40 students from southwest Ohio, learning new languages and finding similarities between the cultures.
His group will tour Ireland, London, Amsterdam, Belgium, Paris, and other locales in France and England.
"This is such a blessing for Randy, and I wanted to let the community know and also obtain additional, much-needed funding to help make this a reality," Anderson said.
He hopes it isn't the last time he travels internationally.
"In college, I want to study something international so I can go different places," Randy said.
Ruby said the trip is an opportunity of a lifetime.
"It's going to be, I think, a life-altering experience for him," Ruby said.
People who want to donate to Randy's People to People account should make checks payable to People to People. Include the name "Randy Anderson" and account No. 913936 on the check.
Checks should be sent to People to People Student Ambassador Program, 1956 Ambassador Way, Spokane, WA 99224.
