Ben Evory is heading to Australia

This article appeared in the Pike County News Watchman paper this month. It tells of the trip Ben will take this summer. This will be a wonderful opportunity for him. We will have a love offering for Ben on Sunday April 5th as a way to show our love and support. Ben and his family now live at 209 East 2nd St. Waverly, Ohio 45690.

Ben Evory, an honor student at Waverly Junior High School has been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Program, an educational travel program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Evory will explore Australia for 15 days beginning June 25, 2009 as a member of the Charleston, WV delegation. By participating in the exploring Australia itinerary, Evory will spend a day at an Australian School, live with an Aussie family during a farm stay in Queensland, observe the fragile ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef with a marine biologist while snorkeling in the pristine water, visit the Dreamtime Aboriginal Cultural Centre and learn about Australia's rich Aboriginal culture, swim at the Aquatic Centre, home of the 2000 Olympics swimming events, and cruise the Sydney Harbour. These are just a few of the places and things he will be able to experience. The group will also be doing a service project while in Australia.

Acceptance into the Student Ambassador Program is an honor. After being nominated by a teacher from his previous school (South Elementary in Morgan County), Evory submitted letters of recommendation and successfully completed an interview process. During the past several months, Evory has been attending orientation meetings with program leaders and fellow delegates to learn about the destination and prepare for the journey. The group will be met upon arrival by a local delegation manager who coordinates the cultural and recreational excursions and is familiar with local customs.

President Eisenhower founded People to People during his presidency in 1956 with citizen leaders including entertainer Bob Hope, Olympic champion Jesse Owens, amusement entrepreneur Walt Disney and Hallmark Cards founder Joyce Hall. Having served as a military commander, Eisenhower believed that ordinary citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not. People to People Student Ambassador Programs is based in Spokane, Washington, and has been coordinating educational travel for over 50 years.