Boyd-Buchanan sophomore Elijah Pack has never ventured outside the United States, but he won’t be unprepared when he travels to Australia with other high school students.
“I’m studying their customs before I go over so I don’t embarrass myself or insult anyone if I give the thumbs-up or something like that,” he said.
Out of 100 students recommended by teachers, Mr. Pack and 23 others made the cut to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador Program. They will fly out of Los Angeles and arrive in Australia for about three weeks starting June 26.
“It’s exciting,” Mr. Pack said Sunday after a pinning ceremony at Soddy-Daisy City Hall. “I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t feel pretty adventurous about it.”
Led by Red Bank High School government teacher Patti Skates, the students are anticipating a busy itinerary. They will visit the Sydney Zoo, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and tour the Sydney Opera House. Meetings with government officials also are planned.
For Sunday’s meeting, Dr. Skates’ instructions had a distinct Australian flavor as she touched on protocol for boomerang purchases.
“And if you buy a bullwhip,” she said with a smile, “you will not play with it on the bus.”
Several dignitaries congratulated the students, including state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga. He said that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who started the program in 1956, believed “the way you avoid war is people understanding each other.”
WHAT’S NEXTChosen for the People to People Student Ambassador Program, 24 local high school students will depart for Australia on June 26. They return July 15.
“Eisenhower was big on connecting things — the interstate system connected us one state to another,” Mr. Watson said. “You are now reaching out and connecting with the rest of the world.”
State Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, reminded the students of the ambassador’s importance in world affairs.
“When (Australians) meet you, they’re going to think Americans are exactly how you are,” Mr. Floyd said.
One student answered quickly when asked how the trip was special.
“When you’re a tourist, you don’t really meet that many people or politicians like we get to,” said Kayla Skiles, 15, a Red Bank High School freshman.