People to People Ambassador Programs has selected seven area students as ambassadors to go to Europe on a 19-day mission promoting peace.
Rhiannon Hurley, Nick Kaplan, Mandy Nayes, Colton Shanks, Paris Stream-Dau, Alli Skinner and Mitchell Scott will travel with delegation leaders Karen Kersey and Sandy McCllean.
The People to People program was founded in 1956 by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a news release said. Eisenhower believed bringing together ordinary citizens of various countries would encourage world peace and cultural understanding.
Prior to their trip, student ambassadors spend about six months meeting regularly to learn about their planned destinations and cultural differences there, the news release said. They also participate in a community-service project here, and often also do so overseas.
The Fort Wayne group chose to work with the Charis House shelter for homeless women and their children, the news release said. Student ambassadors volunteered during the children's group time at the shelter.
Because one of the countries the ambassadors will visit is Ireland, they also organized an activity night for shelter residents including Irish fairy tales, Irish crafts and Irish folk dancing, the news release said. They concluded the evening with an ice cream social.
