Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction People to People, The Adventure of a Lifetime Holly Pennington Denver Academy, Class of 2006 Highlands Ranch, Colorado "Peace through understanding" was the phrase that Dwight D. Eisenhower used in 1956 when he founded People to People. President Eisenhower, the commander who led the Allied forces to liberate Europe, who became the 34th President of the United States, wanted to develop international understanding through student ambassadors who could go to different countries with no artificial barriers, no hidden agendas, no political ties--just friendship and the dream of peace. His vision was for them to be able to visit each other's homes, schools, and historic sites, and in the end to see that we are not different at all, but to learn how we are alike. My adventure started one year ago when I met future People to People family. There were 40 student ambassadors and four leaders who would go on this adventure with me. We were strangers when we first met, but by the time this trip was over, we grew to love and care about each other. Tall, short, black, white or brown, we were 40 teenagers who were united in our desire to honor our country, America. My trip was called, "Heart of the Mediterranean," which would take me to Malta, Italy, and France in 21 days. Living out of a suitcase was a real challenge for me. Being a girl of course I wanted different outfits for every minute of the day, but traveling with People to People, you learn first hand what and how to economically pack. We washed our clothes in the sink and hung them out to dry, we learned how to pack rolling up our clothes so that we could squeeze 100 items into one suitcase, and foremost, we learned how to trust! Holly explores the ruins of Pompeii I experienced such incredible beauty in Italy through the ancient ruins. I have walked through Paris and stood mesmerized at the Eiffel Tower. I have swum in the Blue Lagoon and hiked high atop Mt. Etna. One of the highlights of my trip was staying with my wonderful host family in Malta, an amazing country. We were welcomed into these families' homes with love and acceptance. We were just teenagers . . . not foreigners. We were just someone else's children whom they warmly welcomed and gave a little taste of home. They were not different than our families. They loved and cherished their children, and they were proud of their heritage and wanted to live in peace. Holly at the leaning tower of Pisa When I was far from home and in unfamiliar countries, being American took on a whole new meaning for me. I have always been very proud of my country and what it stands for, but I have never felt such a sense of pride and gratitude for what my country has done for me. Americans have been blessed with a wonderful gift, the gift of peace and prosperity. I have taken so much for granted in my 18 years on this earth but never again. I have complained when I should be asking if I could help, and I have taken more from my country than I have given back. But not anymore! America the beautiful is in fact beautiful--as beautiful as President Eisenhower envisioned it to be. It is a place where w can talk about differences without violence and accept those differences with open arms. People to People is exactly what President Eisenhower wanted it to be--student Ambassadors traveling all over the world promoting peace, hope, cooperation, and the courage to accept each other's differences. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to represent my family, the People to People organization, and especially my America. Peace through understand begins with me! << Back to Journal Home page