James E. Jackson Jr.
James E. Jackson Jr., a student at Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, has been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Program, an educational travel program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jackson will explore England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland for 19 days in summer 2011 as a member of the Metro Atlanta Student Chapter of People to People International delegation. By participating in the Celtic Cultures itinerary, Jackson can earn academic credit while getting to know the people, culture and history of the places visited. He will take part in a variety of activities such as meeting with a member of Parliament, supplying food and fuel for the elderly, feasting at a medieval encampment as an honorary knight, and rappelling down the walls of a castle.
Acceptance into the Student Ambassador Program is an honor. After being invited to enroll, Jackson submitted letters of recommendation and successfully completed an interview process. Before departing he will attend several orientation meetings with program leaders and fellow delegates to learn about the destination and prepare for the journey. Jackson will travel under the leadership of Angela Berglund-Amick, a teacher-leader from Henry County Schools. The group will be met upon arrival by a local delegation manager who coordinates the cultural and recreational excursions and is familiar with local customs.
President Eisenhower founded People to People during his presidency in 1956 with citizen leaders including entertainer Bob Hope, Olympic champion Jesse Owens, amusement entrepreneur Walt Disney and Hallmark Cards founder Joyce Hall. Having served as a military commander, Eisenhower believed that ordinary citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not.
People to People Student Ambassador Programs is based in Spokane, Washington, and has been coordinating educational travel for over 50 years.
