People to People

Four area students — two from Havre and two from Chinook — will be going to Europe this summer as part of the People to People program. The program, founded by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, promotes international peace and understanding. The four were chosen after a rigorous set of interviews and tests and quizzes on European politics, history, art and culture of Europe. Forty students from Montana will be among those taking part. "I was lucky enough to be one of the 40," said Mackenzy Edmonds, 14, a Havre Middle School eighth-grader. "I looking forward to it," she said. "Especially seeing the Eiffel Tower. It's the thing that everybody talks about. "And I'd love to see the Mona Lisa," she added. The trip will take the students to Br i tain, France, Belgium and Holland. The trip to the landmarks will be interesting for 14-year-old Jade Marden, also an eighth-grader at Havre Middle School, who wants to see Big Ben. But the opportunity to learn about European cultures will be especially exciting, he said. "I'm fascinated by all of Europe," he said. "Especially London. "We will gain more understanding of other cultures," he said. People to People requires students to raise money to pay for the trip. The four students were at Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods on Saturday selling raffle tickets. The first-place winner will get $100 and a large lap quilt. The Second-place winner gets $50 and a smaller quilt. Marden said the group hopes to set up a stand at Holiday Village Mall Saturday. A pitchfork fondue will be held at Pastime Steakhouse in Chinook at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Sunday. There is a $15 charge. The four day the trip will be the experience of a lifetime. They are looking forward to representing the United Staes. "I'm really excited. It's going to be culturally diverse," said Jaycie Mitchell, 17, a Chinook High School junior. "We will be staying with host families. They may have kids our age." The students will meet with governmental leaders in each of the countries, but will also strive to see day-to-day life, she said. "It will be great. I've always been interested in Europe," said Aubri McCann, 12, a Chinook sixth-grader.