With a trip to Australia as their goal, Key Peninsula Middle School student Trent English and Peninsula High School junior Breanna Miller will do whatever it takes to raise the $7,000 in travel expenses they need.
“So far, I only have $700,” said English, a 12-year-old Lake Holiday resident. “But I am planning many more fundraisers with my mom to raise more.”
English and Miller are among 40 Tacoma-area students who have been chosen this year as student ambassadors for People-to-People, an international program founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
People-to-People’s purpose is to increase understanding of global issues by sending groups of U.S. students, accompanied by teachers and parents, to foreign countries for 20 days each summer.
Grade school, junior high and high school students either apply or are nominated by their teachers. If accepted, students are directed to People-to-People’s Web site for information about their trips, as well as meeting places and times.
English, nominated anonymously by one of his Key Peninsula Middle School teachers, jumped at the chance.
“I’m really excited to take in all the sights, meet new people and bring cultures together,” he said.
While in Australia, English will travel with a group of other Puget Sound-area junior high students, sightsee around Sydney, visit an aboriginal tribe and experience recreational activities, such as scuba diving.
A sixth-grader with bright blue eyes, dark hair and a shy smile, English said he isn’t afraid to travel to a foreign country, but he does have one concern.
“I’ve been to camp eight times,” English said, shrugging. “I am afraid I might be bitten by a rattlesnake, though.”
Miller, 17, also was nominated by a teacher. She said she is confident and excited to be a student “ambassador.” Her only fear is whether or not she can raise enough funds.
“I have to raise all the money myself,” said Miller, who lives in Lakebay.
So far, Miller, the oldest of three children, has raised $1,600 by babysitting, running errands, asking for donations at businesses and doing other odd jobs.
“Breanna is a very unique individual and is respectful and helpful,” said Starleen Miller, Breanna’s step-mother. “She’s a very good student who is really motivated.”
Miller, who swims for the Peninsula Seahawks, plans to be a doctor someday and said she longs to travel.
“I want to travel everywhere and see the entire world,” she said. “I want to meet all kinds of people.”
On the trip, the athletic, brown-haired, brown-eyed Miller will have opportunities to scuba dive, visit the Sydney Opera House and meet with Australian senators and governors.
“We will get a chance to tell them about how our government is run, as well as hearing about their system,” Miller said.
With the help of her step-mom, Miller will continue to do odd jobs and fundraising events to reach her goal.
“I am her personal secretary,” Starleen Miller said. “She does all the footwork, and I print letters, make payments online and do whatever else she needs.”
English also leans on his mom, Tanya, for support in his fundraising efforts. Tanya takes time from her job as a para-educator for special-needs students at Gig Harbor High School to help her son.
“She comes up with the ideas,” Trent said. “And she does a lot of work.”
The youngest of seven children, Trent knows he must work hard to make the trip come true.
“Every penny for the trip has to be raised,” Tanya said.
At an event earlier this month, the English family held a spaghetti dinner at the Lake Holiday Clubhouse. Some of Tanya’s friends helped with cooking and decorations.
Trent distributed fliers around Gig Harbor and invited friends to the dinner, which included cookies, candy and an auction with donated items.
Naturally, his mom was there to help.
“I am here to support him in every way,” Tanya said. “World travel and learning about other cultures is imperative. You can’t learn everything from a history book.”
Two Gig Harbor-area students are raising funds for summer trips with the People-to-People student ambassador program. While both have raised some money, they still need more before summer starts.
Trent English is planning a holiday crafts and vendors show that will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13-14 at the Lake Holiday Clubhouse.
For more information, call 253-225-5519 or e-mail englishtm@comcast.net.
Breanna Miller is planning a babysitting fundraiser in the near future called “Parents Day Out.” The event will allow parents to drop off their kids between 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. at Convergent Therapies on Soundview Drive in Gig Harbor, then go shopping or run errands.
For more information, call 253-722-7008 or e-mail star@northharborpt.com.
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