Nathan Muntz may just finishing fifth grade at Carpenter Year-Round Elementary, but in only a few days, he will also become a world traveler.
Muntz, who will attend Waldon Middle School in the fall, was chosen as a People to People Student Ambassador. He will travel, along with two other Lake Orion students, with a group of students from Oakland and Livingston Counties.
The group will be gone for 20 days, and will spend time in Italy and Greece.
‘I remember seeing the movies where they are in Rome and Italy and I’m really excited to see it for myself,? said Nathan, whose favorite subject is social studies.
He looks forward to seeing the sights, learning about Greek gods and trying the different foods.
‘I want to try gelato because it has three times the sugar,? he said of the Italian ice cream.
Even though Nathan has only been away from his parents for a week before, his mom, Nora, isn’t worried about him.
‘He’s a real people’s person,? she said of her son. ‘He loves people, he’s really committed to making things better for others and he’s sensitive to the world and how things are.?
While Nathan will be flying for the first time and away from his parents for an extended period of time for the first time, he said that the only thing they are really worried about is if he will have enough clothes.
‘Every time I eat a meal, I spill on myself,? he said. ‘My mom’s worried that I am going to run out of clothes.?
Nathan, who is an all A/B student, wants people to realize that you don’t have to be a great student to be an ambassador, but more importantly, a good person.
He said that it’s important to be helpful, honest and committed.
‘You also need to be a good friend and not be selfish because you are going to be sharing a room with someone,? Nathan added.
His mom believes that Nathan has the qualities to be a good ambassador.
‘I think he’ll do a really good job representing the school. He’s very good at accepting other people,? Nora said, noting that the group of students going all have different backgrounds, all look different and all sound different.
Nora believes that this trip will be a great learning experience and is happy that Nathan will get to be a part of it.
‘I’m very proud of him,? she said. ‘He’s very brave at 11, to go in these unstable times and be away from his country for three weeks.?
Nora also wants people to realize how bright kids are today.
‘People say bad things about kids today,? she said. ‘That they are selfish, self-centered and they don’t know anything about what’s going on in the world, but it’s amazing the insights they have.?
‘I’m really looking forward to what he has to say and see what it sparks within him,? Nora added about her son’s trip.
When Nathan returns from his trip, he hopes to share his experiences with fellow students and community members.