Representing their schools and America, students from the Clarkston area continue to particpate in the People to People Student Ambassadors program.
Drew Davidson, an eighth-grader at Clarkston Junior High School, and Briana Gohlke, a tenth-grader at Clarkston High School, are two such students.
People to People Student Ambassadors is a program for students to travel abroad to build an understanding of foreign cultures. This year, groups of students will travel to various locations through Australia and New Zealand for 20 days. Students must first be recommended to the program by a teacher or counselor and then go through an interview process.
Gohlke was surprised when she was first contacted, and to this day does not know who recommended her for the program. After receiving a letter informing her about the program, Gohlke said she went to an orientation session where she learned about the trip.
For Gohlke, the trip will be her first time traveling outside of America. Kathy Gohlke, Briana’s mother, said she is excited about her daughter’s trip.
‘She definitely has an interest to go other than for the fun. She wants to learn about the different cultures and see how the other children live,? Kathy said.
For Davidson, preparing for this trip is a bit of history repeating. He wanted to participate in the program four years ago, which would have also taken him to Australia and New Zealand, but was unable to because of the high cost. Davidson’s father, Dan, also said Drew was a little too young to go at the time. Now, four years later, Davidson is getting his chance.
Both Davidson and Gohlke said the only thing they were nervous about was flying the nearly day-long trip, as both expressed a fear of heights. So while walking across high bridges or repelling down rock walls are not high on the list of things to do on their trips, both said they were looking forward to several aspects of the experience.
‘I’m really looking forward to the host families,? Gohlke said. ‘We get to stay with a family in New Zealand for a couple days and experience life at home.?
Davidson said he is hoping to gain valuable experience to help him get into a good college, where he hopes to study to become a veterinarian. As part of the program, Davidson is hoping to study the Kiwi, one of his favorite animals and New Zealand native, in the bird’s natural environment.
‘It’s one of the two flightless birds in the world,? Davidson said, giving one of the reasons he wanted to study the Kiwi. Davidson said he has known he wanted to be a vet since he visited a petting zoo roughly seven years ago.
Davidson, 13, is the son of Dan and Sheila Davidson of Clarkston. He has two siblings – brother Ian, 12, and sister Reilley, 8.
Gohlke, 15, is the daughter of Matt and Kathy Gohlke of Clarkston. She has two brothers – Geoff, 17, and Alex, 13.
Before they can leave however, both students have to raise the money to pay for their trips. The cost of participation is approximately $5,800 per student. In recent weeks, both Davidson and Gohlke have contacted local businesses and individuals for support. The full tuition payment is due in May, but the Gohlkes have set a personal goal to raise as much of the funds as possible by the end of the year.
Both families are planning future fund-raising events, the details of which are not known at this time. If anyone would like to support the families with their fund-raising efforts, they can contact them directly. The Davidsons can be reached at 248-674-2836 and the Gohlkes at 248-620-1044.