Fresh off the plane and still a bit jet lagged, Amy Guerra went
back to school at Rancho San Justo Middle School on Monday morning,
but not as the same eighth grader from more than a week ago.
Fresh off the plane and still a bit jet lagged, Amy Guerra went back to school at Rancho San Justo Middle School on Monday morning, but not as the same eighth grader from more than a week ago.
Because of Guerra’s exceptional scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential, she was selected to join a group of students for the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. Nominated by her seventh grade English teacher Cathleen Larabell, she was later accepted after filling out all the appropriate paperwork.
“I have new friends from all over the country,” Guerra said. “When I first arrived in Washington, D.C., I didn’t know much, and by the time I left I knew all sorts of facts.”
The program, which strives to foster world citizenship, was founded by former president Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. During her week in D.C., Guerra examined the characteristics of American leadership during times of national challenge and prosperity.
“It was really neat to see how past leaders worked to get where they are now,” Guerra said.
Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Institute, Colonial Williamsburg and the National Museum of American History were some of the stops on Guerra’s trail, but it was another famous monument that made a lasting impression on her.
“I really enjoyed going to the Lincoln Memorial,” she said “You always see pictures on TV and it’s so famous, that it was nice to see in person.”
Along with the amazing sightseeing, Guerra and the other forum delegates, who all had to stick to a business attire dress code, participated in small group discussions and exercises to experience first hand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus and foster change. The middle schools students were visited by a Holocaust survivor, teaching them about wars and oppression of the past, and were asked to write letters to U.S. service men in Iraq, bringing them closer to the reality and patriotism of today.
“I enjoyed writing to them,” she said. “I thanked them for being over there and the work they’re doing.”
Guerra, a shy student, hates public speaking, but plans on joining clubs in high school and using the leadership skills she’s acquired.
When she’s not cruising around the nation’s capitol, walking the sidewalk in front of the White House or speaking with secret service men, the eighth grader enjoys leisure activities such as snowboarding and swimming. Guerra hopes her experience and leadership skills will help her break into the fashion industry later in life.
Amy’s mother Joyce said she’s glad her daughter had the opportunity to be involved in this program.
“I really think having this hands-on experience will help her when she’s taking classes in high school,” she said. “When they read and study history, Amy will have a better understanding because she’s been there and seen the things the class is talking about.”
More information on the People to People program can be found at www.ptpi.org.
