New Lewiston Porter Community Ambassador selected

LPCAP organizers announce April 24 reception

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 10, 2004

The Lewiston Porter Community Ambassador Program has announced that Ms. Breta Olsen, daughter of Dr. R. Nils and Sandra Olsen of Youngstown, has been chosen at its new Community Ambassador for 2004.

As a result of her participating in a rigorous competition which involved essay writing, public speaking and panel discussions in front of 29 delegates of the non-profit Lewiston Porter community, Ms. Olsen was officially selected last month as its 2004 Community Ambassador.

A junior at Lewiston Porter Senior High School, Olsen has chosen to travel to Thailand this summer with The Experiment in International Living program. Organizers report this program has been a partner with the LPCAP for its 50 years and has shown clearly that it challenges deserving young men and women, like Breta, to open up their hearts and minds to the world.

"I would love to take this opportunity to explore a different culture, and take part only in the normal tourist endeavors, but also be able to truly experience the soul of the country and its people during my homestay," Olsen wrote in one of her winning submitted essays to the LPCAP delegates. "I want to learn more about the country, and myself, and be able to share my newfound knowledge with my community when I come home. I will work hard and try to learn all that I can about the country and people while keeping an open mind about their traditions and ideas."

Olsen is an accomplished soccer player and has been a part of the Niagara Pioneer Soccer League since she was four years old, including 10 years of competing on a travel team which has taken her around the Western and upstate New York area. She also likes the visual arts and is in advanced Placement 2D art class at Lew-Port. Olsen has taught art at Artpark summer camp, taught inner-city Buffalo city children at the Gloria Parks Community Center during the summer and even applied her skills to painting the soccer fields for NPSL tournaments.

The Community Ambassador Program

As a result of contributions from businesses, individuals and community organizations, the Lewiston Porter Community Ambassador Program each summer has funded travel to a foreign country of an area high school student to experience distant countries, engage in family living, and to complete a community service project in the host country.

LPCAP organizers point out in striving to bridge the gap of understanding between the societies of the world, this program has become even more relevant in the early 21st century than it was when it began. Among its many qualities, they note the dynamic interaction that this program offers between future community leaders and foreign cultures, in addition to fostering knowledge, tolerance and friendship

Olsen, who will spend five weeks in Thailand this summer, chose the Asian trip from a list of six available journeys. Her unique itinerary, as described the Experiment Program literature is as follows:

"Explore the busy streets and waterways of Bangkok. Become part of a rural Thai village. Hike through the majestic highlands of northern Thailand near the borders of Myanmar and Laos. Make your way into the jungle by foot, elephant, and bamboo river-raft. Learn about a very different way of life from your new Thai friends."

Experiencing Thailand

And what an experience Olsen has to look forward to in her Thailand visit. As further discussed in the Experiment Program literature, Bangkok, "... is a great place for you and your group to spend a few days getting a feel for Southeast Asia. Investigate the ornate Grand Palace and the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Explore cafés, canals, and the world-famous Floating Market. In Chiang Mai, ride an elephant before sitting down to a traditional Khan Toke dinner or take in some classical Thai dancing."

As part of her homestay and community service, Olsen will leave Chiang Mai for a rewarding experience in a small rural village. There she will spend two weeks living with a Thai host family, "whose members quickly befriend and charm you with gracious hospitality," During the homestay, Olsen and her group will participate in a community project, working side by side with new Thai friends, making a positive difference in that country.

Her service projects include teaching English to young children; working on village building repairs; participation in a reforestation project; spending time with Thai children in a child care center; and working with Thai farmers in the rice paddies.

Olsen will also have the opportunity to explore northern Thailand, where her group is expected to take in fascinating excursions and discover even more about this ancient land. The itinerary will see her visiting the northern region's tropical valleys and highlands, discovering historic ruins and Buddhist temples, experiencing remote hill-tribe villages, river-rafting through the interior and even visiting an elephant training camp.

April Reception

Community residents are invited to attend a reception intended both to honor Ms. Olsen as well as help celebrate the 50 years that the Community Ambassador Program has been a part of Lewiston Porter.

To be held Saturday, April 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the new Fellowship Hall in the First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St. in Youngstown, LPCAP organizers are hopeful for a large crowd at its annual fund-raiser. Past ambassadors and board members have been located and invited, and LPCAP officials are hopeful to have many on hand both to reminisce on their past experiences and enjoy the longevity and success of this program.

In commemoration of the 50 years, Mrs. Milly Reeves from Lewiston, who has been with the program for every one of those years, will display memorabilia from past ambassadors and receptions. Organizers have also asked past ambassadors to send in their recollections of their trip and what they liked and also disliked.

And they report that visitors will find plenty of interesting items available for basket auction. In addition local restaurants will offer finger foods for the event which will also feature that renowned Community Ambassador wine punch. Live music will be provided by the Water Street Quartet. As part of the ticket purchase, attendees will have a first-ever chance on a Gourmet Dinner for 4 delivered to your door, at your convenience.

For further details on the April 24 reception, including tickets, contact Jim Marsh of the Lewiston Porter Community Ambassador Program at 745-7563.