A letter addressed to 11-year-old Justin Young of Gilroy changed
the course of his ”young” life.
A letter addressed to 11-year-old Justin Young of Gilroy changed the course of his ”young” life.
Someone had nominated the soon-to-be 7th grader and he was invited to interview to become a Student Ambassador to Australia.
”I was always curious and interested in other cultures and I would love to teach others about mine and when I found out I can go to Australia, I was more excited because I love animals,” he said with eyes beaming.
His mother Rhonda Young – though elated – was cautiously optimistic.
”We thought it would be an excellent opportunity for him and figured this could help him develop as a person and strengthen his self confidence but one never knows if these are real or it’s a hoax,” she said. Rhonda Young, who is ”focused on giving Justin every opportunity and yet protecting him” started her research. She found out that the People to People Student Ambassador Program is run by Mary Jean Eisenhower, the granddaughter of the country’s 34th president Dwight D. Eisenhower, and was founded by the president himself.
President Eisenhower believed that ‘given the opportunity to communicate and directly discuss issues with one another, people would solve their differences and find a way to live in peace. The president believed it could best be achieved without government interference. The organization is the culmination of his crusade for world peace.
Justin Young was accepted into the program in December and has been going through monthly training sessions to prepare him for his role as Student Ambassador. The only U.S. representative from the South County, he is one of 15 student ambassadors going to Australia.
”I am not (scared) … she is,” he said, amused, as he pointed to his mother. On the trip he will learn about exchanging U.S. dollars to Australian currency, answer questions about the United States and spend more than two weeks with people he hardly knows, but Young, a prime example of the ”no fear” generation, is not at all worried.
Home schooled by his mother, the boy is very confident, articulate, composed and seems more like a 16-year old than he is an 11-year old. Entering the 7th grade this fall, Justin likes the very same things kids his age do, but there is a lot more to this young man.
”I like to hang out with friends, going on the Internet to chat and get on my trampoline,” he said. ”I also build figurine models and paint them.”
He is interested in many other things including swimming, playing bass guitar and drawing, in which he shows a lot of talent, although he is shy to take credit for his abilities.
A brown belt in Tae Kwon Do, Justin Young wants to write a book and play in a band someday.
”I love hard rock,” he said and quickly added, ”Christian hard rock.”
His proud Mom added to his list, ”he is also very good with the keyboard.”
People to People is a non-profit organization, but the agency that brings cultures together can’t cover expenses, so Justin Young launched a campaign to raise the funds for his trip. He was supported by local businesses, family and friends, as well as his church and his dentist, pediatrician, former school and the family’s Realtor.
He leaves for Australia on Saturday.
”I have been going to bed earlier so I can handle the jet lag,” the ambassador-to-be said.
