Danielle Adkins and Kayla Baskin are going to have quite the summer vacation stories to tell their classmates.
Adkins and Baskin, both 11 years old and students at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, have been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Program, an educational travel program.
Kathy Adkins, Danielle’s mom, said she didn’t know her daughter was a candidate to go on the trip until she received a letter in the mail.
‘Someone in the community turned in her name and said she would be a good candidate,? she said.
After they received the letter, Kathy and Danielle went to a meeting explaining the program, then sent in three letters of recommendation along with Danielle’s resume. After that, they met with Kathleen Noble, who will be the leader for Adkins and Baskin’s delegation.
Kathy said there will be about 40 students traveling with the two Brandon youngsters, along with two or three leaders.
‘It will really broaden her horizons,? Kathy said of the upcoming trip.
Adkins and Baskin will explore Ireland and the United Kingdom for 14 days in the summer of 2005 as members of a local delegation. By participation in the British and Irish Adventure itinerary, Adkins and Baskin can earn academic credit while getting to know the people, culture and history of the places visited.
They will take part in a variety of activities such as: meeting a member of the British Parliament; ride the London Eye – the world’s largest ferris wheel, attend a theater performance in London’s famous West End District, visit Buckingham Palace, learn to play the bagpipes during an evening of traditional Scottish music and dance, learn to speak a little Welsh, go kayaking and rock climbing, learn Gaelic football and hurling and dance an Irish jig.
Adkins has been active in several school activities, and has spent eight years in her church choir and six years in Girl Scouts. She also set up a booth at this year’s Septemberfest in Ortonville to raise funds for her trip.
In addition, Adkins and Baskin worked for several weeks to make some arts and crafts to sell at the Brandon Boutique, at Brandon High School. The two will also have a magic show and bake sale Dec. 5 at the Ortonville Town Hall, 486 Mill St., Ortonville.
Another fund-raising method Adkins and Baskin have used is candy sales. Last week, the two visited several local businesses to sell candy, and Kathy Adkins said local businesspeople responded very kindly.
‘I was amazed at the generosity of store owners in the village,? she said.