July 27, 2007

Evergreen SchoolScene

In the footsteps of giants

Local sixth grader will travel to D.C. for World Leadership
Forum to learn about government and history

By Christina Brown
Times Intern

Rachan Narala will soon see firsthand what his history teachers have been preaching about for the last few years. Narala is one of the lucky middle school aged students who will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to see countless memorials and museums and develop leadership skills from politicians with People to People’s World Leadership Forum program.

Narala, an incoming sixth grader at James Franklin Smith Elementary School, will visit the area from September 10 to 16. He was selected for the program “based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential,” according to a People to People representative.

Beatrice Nikoley, Narala’s teacher at J.F. Smith, nominated him for the program.

“After reading the letter that said that I could join this program, it sounded very interesting,” he said.

His mother, Kavitha, was excited that her son was chosen for such a distinguished program that suits his interests.

“Rachan enjoys traveling. His interest in attending this program…is because he can see the Smithsonian Museum, national monuments and memorials,” she said.

During the weeklong trip, Narala will see many sites within the capital and also famous spots from other nearby states. Each day has a different educational topic that students will focus on during their daily small and large group discussions.

Day one serves as an introduction to the program, where students from all over the world can get to know each other. Kavitha was also glad to have her son participate for this reason.

“This gives him an opportunity to meet other student ambassadors from around the globe,” she said.

Rachan Narala, a sixth grader at Smith Elementary, will participate in the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. this fall. Photo courtesy Kavitha Narala

The next day focuses on learning about the three branches of the U. S. government. Students will visit Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, as well as an embassy while also getting the chance to speak with members of Congress. In what is sure to be a busy day, Narala said he is “most looking forward to see the White House.”

During the next two days, ambassadors will visit countless memorials, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Gettysburg National Cemetery. The students will learn about the Civil War, World War I and II, Cold War and the Vietnam War as well.

Day five and six are themed “Building a New Nation” and “National Treasures,” and students will be able to explore colonial life at the Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg while also learning about America’s history at the Smithsonian and National Air and Space Museum.

During the course of the week, “forum delegates will also participate in small-group discussions and exercises to experience firsthand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus, and foster change,” said a representative from the program. Students will also receive high school credit for the work they do during the week.

Created by President Eisenhower, and based on the belief that “people can make a difference where governments cannot,” the People to People Student Ambassadors Program has sent many thousands of students to all corners of the globe in an effort to encourage personal experience with other cultures. The program has touched countless individuals over the years, including Walt Disney, who designed the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland after his involvement in the People to People International White House conference.

The World Leadership Forum, one of the many programs sponsored by People to People, is for fifth through eighth graders to participate in a week of leadership activities with top government officials. Since its beginnings in 1956, over 200,000 students have taken part in the program. Several trips take place every spring and fall for students.

Narala has done quite a bit of traveling at such a young age. He has been to Singapore, Canada, India, and many different states within the United States. This trip, however, is unlike anything most people get to experience in that Narala will get to see government and diplomacy up close and personal. Work in politics may one day even become Narala’s career.

“It sounds great to become an ambassador. If the opportunity comes along, I’ll take it,” he said.