Student becomes U.S. ambassador

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (ACCNS) --  Italy, France and Spain. A royal palace, a Grand Prix racetrack and a Roman amphitheater. Not a bad looking itinerary, especially when you're 15 years old.

Kirk Kinard, son of Tech. Sgt. Malena Kee-Stevens, 5th Comptroller Squadron, and student at Central Campus High School, will be visiting Europe in June as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

People to People was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who believed that ordinary citizens of different nations, if able to communicate directly, would solve their differences and find a way to live in peace. Since 1963, People to People has taken thousands of students across international borders to connect with people all over the world.

According to People to People officials, the program provides international educational opportunities for grade school, junior high school and high school students. Their journeys combine hands-on cultural experiences; behind-the-scenes access to fascinating people and places; and amazing outdoor adventures to create life-changing educational experiences.

"I feel honored because I was selected to represent the United States and I was selected out of about 200 people," said Kirk.

To become a student ambassador, applicants have to be recommended by a former student ambassador or teacher. Once recommended, counselors review recommendation letters, academics and conduct a personal interview.

"First I had to get three recommendation letters--two had to be from teachers and the third one had to be from a non-family member," said Kirk. "Then, I had to get interviewed by a counselor and provide a small album explaining my life.

He is also responsible for raising the money to cover travel costs.

Kirk has babysat for his mother's squadron party, sent donation letters to family, friends, and businesses in town and started a recycle fundraising project.

Kirk will travel with a group of 40 people and stay with a host family.

"I remember when I lived in Japan we were a host family for two Japanese students," said Kirk. "It will be an experience to be the student in a host family this time."

Kirk's 20-day journey will take him to take him to many interesting places. His first stop will be Italy, where he will meet a priest or nun from the Vatican, and visit the Colosseum and St. Peter's Cathedral. He will also visit the cities of Assisi, Montecatini and La Spezia.

While in France, Kirk will get to visit a Grand Prix racetrack, a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, a Roman amphitheater and Carcassonne, a medieval walled city where the 1991 film "Robin Hood Price of Thieves" was filmed.

The last stop will be in Spain, where he'll get to visit Barcelona, Toledo, Gaudi's Parc Guell and the Royal Palace in Madrid. His last venture will bring him to a bull farm, where he'll meet a matador and learn the various stages of a bull fight.

Kirk's mother, Sergeant Kee-Stevens, is proud of his selection to the program.

"I'm really excited, honored, and proud of Kirk for being accepted into the student ambassador program," she said. "I feel comfortable about him leaving for Europe. He listens and does as he's told. I think these qualities are what have helped mature him into a well behaved teenager. "

I feel comfortable letting him go to Europe with a group of teenagers and two counselors because I know he has the qualities to lead and help out where needed. He is going to be a great student ambassador."