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WORLD TRAVEL. A donation from Washington Township Firefighter Local 3299 will help Barbara Doyle,15, realize her goal of traveling to China as a student ambassador with the People to People program.

(Observer photo by Cheryl Ciske)

Washington Township youth prepares
to be a student ambassador to China

by Cheryl Ciske
Observer Special Writer

      Every year, thousands of students make a difference in the world around them. Barbara Doyle, 15, of Washington Township, hopes to be one of them.
       When school ends in June, Doyle, a sophomore at Romeo High School, will begin the educational experience of a lifetime as she travels to China as a student ambassador with the People to People program.
       "I am proud to represent my school, community, state and country as I travel to China to learn about their culture and meet local kids my age," said Doyle. "I have an open mind and heart and a desire to learn about other cultures and people."
       Doyle said she is excited to return home with a new perspective on the world.
       Traveling to the South Pacific, Asia, Europe and many other destinations, People to People Student Ambassador programs offer students in grades 5-12 life-changing educational travel opportunities that foster friendship, build the foundation for personal success and offer unique access to people, places, and activities.
       Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the People to People Student Ambassador program was designed with the vision that each person can make a difference and help to achieve peace through understanding. The president knew from his experience as a military commander that ordinary citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not. He wanted people to know and understand that while we are all very different, our values, goals, and day-to-day issues are very much the same.
       Peter Doyle, a Washington Township firefighter/paramedic and father of Barbara, is nervous to let his daughter travel abroad for 17 days. While there, Doyle will stay with a host family where she will record in a journal how the cultural differences affect her, from family life to school. She even has to teach an English class, Doyle noted.
       She will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and such sites as the Great Wall of China.
       "When I see areas of China on television or read about them in a textbook, I'll be able to say `I've been there,'" said Doyle, who aspires to be a marine biologist.
       To help defray the almost $7,000 cost, Doyle received a $500 scholarship from Washington Township Firefighter Local 3299.
       "We're glad to be part of this. Barbara will certainly make an impact on our community and truly make a difference; she really impressed us with her outstanding work ethic and dedication to learning about cultures abroad," said Brian Tyrell, Washington Township fire marshall and member of the union's executive board.
       According to Tyrell, the firefighter's union is establishing a scholarship program beginning in the fall for a Romeo High School senior who plans to pursue a career in public safety.
       "It's our way of giving back to our community," said Tyrell.