Three installation students chosen as ambassadors to Australia Published April 3, 2012 By 1st Lt. Ken Lustig 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Three middle school students from the installation were selected to join a group of kids serving as student ambassadors to Australia. Students Quentin Burgess, Faith Thomas and Carrie Williams will join a group of 32 students travelling to Australia over the summer as part of the People to People program. The People to People program, established in 1956 by President Eisenhower, selects a group of America's brightest and most outstanding students to participate in cultural exchanges with other countries each year. Since its founding, the organization's honorary chairman has been the serving U.S. president. The students were each selected after being nominated by their teachers and earning letters of recommendation based on academic achievements, citizenship and leadership abilities. They also had to pass a group interview. The students' achievements set them apart from the many applicants for the program. They are honor students at their respective schools, winning monthly and quarterly academic achievement awards. Quentin Burgess, son of Jolene Burgess and Master Sgt. David Burgess from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, earned the President's Award for Educational Excellence, and is president of literary arts at his middle school. Quentin aspires to be a marine biologist and is interested in how ozone depletion has affected Australia's environment and the Great Barrier Reef in particular. Faith Thomas, daughter of Denell Thomas and Russell Thomas, a member of the 99th Surgical Operations Squadron, is a multiple-time recipient of academic achievement and student of the month awards at her middle school, and received a community service award for her volunteer work at the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center. Faith is a percussionist and the first female band leader at her middle school, and a speech and debate club member. She is interested in learning about the history of Aborigines and wants to tour the Sydney Concert Hall. Carrie Williams, daughter of Debbie Williams and Major David Williams, from the 99th Medical Operations Squadron, was recognized with a citizenship award, has a 3.98 GPA in her middle school and scored a perfect 500 score in reading on the Nevada criterion referenced test, a rare accomplishment. Carrie is looking forward to learning about Australian culture by travelling the country. The students will be participating in a number of community service projects in conjunction with the program - one in the Las Vegas area before their travel, and several in Australia. According to People to People's organizational web page, the program's goal is to bridge cultural and political borders through direct interaction, unparalleled access, and unique experiences. The students have conducted extensive fund raising for their travel, both as a group and as individuals, but a deadline looms at the end of April to meet their significant travel costs. The group has so far participated in events such as a bowl-a-thon, car wash and a fundraiser through a local restaurant, but still need to raise more money to cover their travel. The students themselves have conducted much of the organization work for these events. Russell Thomas said the group is seeking squadrons or individuals willing to assist the students with meeting their fundraising goals. The students will receive academic credit for their participation in the program.
