Teen looks forward to trip with People to People
Fourteen-year-old Jennifer Kiesewetter has a secret admirer. Nominated to take part in the People to People Ambassador Program in Europe next year, Jennifer said she is thrilled but doesn’t know how the program received her name.
“I have no idea who nominated me,” said the Coeur d’Alene High School freshman.
She received a letter from the organization inviting her to a meeting and an interview and was chosen to be one of approximately 35 kids from the Inland Northwest to travel for two weeks next summer learning about various European cultures and their history.
“I’m going to England, France, Belgium and Holland,” said Jennifer. “And I am so excited!”
Jennifer will spend some of the time with host families, and other times she and other members of her delegation will stay in hostels and convents. Beginning in January, Jennifer and her fellow travelers will meet once a month, giving them opportunity to get to know one another as well as learn more about the cultures they will visit.
But the adventure does not come cheap. The trip will cost about $5,500, and her parents Phil and Lisa Kiesewetter have told their only child that it is her responsibility to raise some of the money. Jennifer has not let them down.
Phil Kiesewetter said he had the opportunity to be a foreign exchange student when he was younger, and so when this opportunity came up, he and Lisa supported it but wanted Jennifer to take responsibility for some of the fundraising.
“She is very determined,” said Phil. “We are very proud of her.”
With a 4.0 grade-point average during her years at Holy Family School, Jennifer continues to excel in her first year at Coeur d’Alene High School. She is enrolled in honors English, advanced physical science, geometry, computers, Spanish and debate.
In addition to her academic achievements, Jennifer has been recognized for her community service, having received the Presidential Service Award each year since 2004.
Much of her volunteer work centers on her church, where she volunteers to help with the soup kitchen, the Bible camp, the church picnic and cleaning up the grounds of the church and cemetery. Other volunteer activities include assisting at the Humane Society and playing piano to bring smiles to the faces of the residents of Birch Avenue Residential Care Facility.
It is her piano-playing talent that has helped Jennifer raise money for her trip to Europe. She has made and sold several Christmas CDs as well as entertained at various parties. The holiday CD has everything from “Silent Night” to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She is considering doing another CD of nonholiday music.
“I’ve played for 10 years,” said Jennifer. “Classical (music) is what my teacher teaches, but I play just about every type of music.”
Her artistic talent extends to singing. Jennifer was involved with the Lake City Playhouse for five summers where she attended workshops and then put on three shows with a group of about 25 other kids where she not only acted but also had a couple of solos.
In addition to her weekly piano lessons, Jennifer practices 40 to 50 minutes per day. She also plays guitar and, until this year, also played flute.
So far Jennifer has raised about $1,300 toward her trip. Her goal is $3,000, with her parents and Grandma offering to pay the balance.
She is excited about the opportunities that People to People will give her to travel and learn about other cultures.
“The trip will be a firsthand experience about other countries’ cultures and also about respecting them,” said Jennifer.
She looks forward to taking part in many of the activities and tours that are exclusive to the People to People program.
“We get to meet and ask questions of a former member of British parliament and take a special tour of Warwick Castle and spend the night on the castle grounds,” said Jennifer.
Another opportunity that she is especially looking forward to is a private tour through the home of Anne Frank in Amsterdam. She read the Diary of Anne Frank last year and wrote a report on it. The delegation also will tour the Louvre Museum and the Castle of Versailles in France as well as climb the Eiffel Tower.
“It is going to be a lot of cultural things,” said Jennifer. “But I am also excited about meeting kids from different countries and making new friends.”
If you are interested in purchasing one of Jennifer’s CDs, please e-mail her at phil.lisa.kiesewetter@juno.com and put in the subject line “Christmas CD.” They are available by donation.