Local students spread international friendship abroad

AMONG FRIENDS—Max Rosenblum of Agoura High School poses with some of the children he’s met in South Africa. Rosenblum traveled overseas with People to People International, an organization that encourages international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities. Rosenblum participated in the country’s basketball program. For many high school students, summer vacation means hanging at the beach or finding a part time job. But for the students who participated in People to People International’s summer program, the months away from school were some of the most important educational time of their high school experiences.

People to People International, which was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, is an organization dedicated to enhancing international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities around the world.

“It was more than a great experience,” said Max Rosenblum, a junior at Agoura High School who was one of 45 students chosen nationwide for the program’s inaugural Global Youth Forum and Humanitarian conference. Rosenblum traveled to South Africa for the conference which was held from July 21-30. Mary Jean Eisenhower, the former president’s granddaughter, led the delegation of students.

Rosenblum said that he was particularly moved by the charitable work of Mama Amelia, a woman who adopts and cares for orphaned children. “She takes care of 90 (orphans) at any given time,” Rosenblum said.

The students met with pediatricians and staff in the AIDS ward of a Cape Town children’s hospital, where 25 percent of all patients die before the age of one.

Lynn Rosenblum said that her son and fellow students participated in workshops to explore other issues that South Africans face on a daily basis.

Agoura High School student, Shaun Sklar, was one of 45 students to participate in the People to People International delegation to Europe over the summer. Those students visited England and France and experienced such educational and cultural eye-openers as an official Parliament briefing and a walk on the beaches of Normandy, where United States soldiers landed on D-Day.

The students learned to sail at the UKSA Sailing Academy in Cowes, home of the America’s Cup, visited the mysterious Stonehenge, and saw the “Mona Lisa” during a visit to the Louvre.

“It was really fun,” said Sklar, who said he enjoyed staying with families in England. It was particularly interesting, he said, to experience how people live in other parts of the world.

Sixteen students from local schools in the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark, participated in the People to People International European tour. Other Agoura High School students included Brian Canatsey, Elizabeth Finders, Sarah Clabeaux and Brandon Roundtree.

Four students from Calabasas High School participated in the trip, including Janice Lim, Bree Bowman, Chas Coryell and Chris Guerrero.

Travelers from the Conejo Valley Unified School District included students Brandon Roundtree, Tyler Hayes, Jon Hughes and Melanie Meder. Lynn Covarrubias, Caitlin Smith, and Celeste and Hannah Westerdoll of Simi Valley also enjoyed the trip.

Oak View student, Katie Rope, attended the two-week trip, as did Dan Halim from Moorpark High School.

For more information on People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org/index.jsp.