Students prepare for Europe
By Holly Heller
Managing Editor
BREMEN � Three Bremen Middle School students will spend 23 days in Italy, Spain and France this summer to take in the sights and break down culture barriers.
Rachel King, Nicole Castro and Anthony Sickelka were chosen as student ambassadors in the People to People program created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.
�They�re not just tourists,� explained Susan Sickelka, Anthony�s mom. �They�re representing the city of Bremen, the state of Indiana and the United States.�
They will travel with a group of 40 other students from northern Indiana.
�They have to go through so much just to be able to go,� Susan Sickelka said.
After being nominated for the program, students fill out an application, turn in three written recommendations and go through an interview process.
Anthony went to England, Ireland and Wales through People to People last summer, and was very interested in a second time around.
�It was a lot of fun,� he said. �You get to learn about culture, being overseas for three weeks. It�s exciting, knowing that you�re going to go and represent Bremen.�
After experiencing a vacation cruise with her parents, Rachel King knew she wanted to see more of the world.
�I like to travel and go out of the country,� she said.
While all three are excited about the trip, they admit to feeling anxiious about certain aspects.
�It�s a little scary,� Nicole said. �Knowing that everybody�s looking upon you like, �Is this America? Is this what America is like?�
Rachel has a different take.
�I�m excited to meet people, but scared to be away from my parents.�
Nicole chimed in, �Yeah, I can see my mom stressing.�
The Bremenites have been meeting monthly with the northern Indiana group in Elkhart, where they take turns giving presenations on assigned topics to learn more about European culture. Nicole is researching Italian cuisine, Rachel is studying up on culture and language of Spain, and Anthony was given the topic �Famous People in French History.�
�It�s supposed to be eduacational as well as an adventure,� Becky Castro said.
Another educational aspect of the trip is a journal the students are required to keep.
�They have to describe how they felt about it, not just say �it was neat,�� said Joe Castro.
The trip costs $5,000 per student and includes travel, meals and accomodations. By the time appropriate clothing, some souvenirs, bottled water and snacks are added in, the Sickelkas figured last year�s trip cost them $6,000.
�No denim is allowed, no short-shorts, no spaghetti straps,� explained Becky Castro of the strict dress code. �And they have to buy bottled water.�
The students are working to raise money to help fund their trips. Anthony�s goal is to raise �at least $1,000,� while Nicole plans to come up with $800 on her own.
Community donations may be mailed to the Castros at 8824 Coffel St., Bremen, or may be arranged by calling the Sickelkas at 546-2459 (days) or 546-4281 (evenings). All donated funds will be divided evenly among the three students.
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