Local Girl Invited To Europe

Twelve-year-old Taylor Vessels has been chosen to travel to Europe this summer as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

Vessels, a sixth grader at Canton Junior High, was nominated for the educational adventure by her teachers. This is, however, not her first time to be chosen for such a prestigious program. She was nominated as a fourth grader and as a fifth grader while attending school in Wills Point, prior to moving to Canton last year.

The other trips were for Washington, but this years program will take Taylor to the Netherlands, England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Taylor was nominated to attend the program based on her leadership skills.

"They told me they nominated a couple of kids and it is mainly for their leadership in the class and students who do good in school," she said.

Taylor who is an A/B student said her favorite school subjects are science, English and social studies.

Since her acceptance letter was received from People to People in mid-November, she has been researching the different countries she is set to visit.

The decision to let Taylor go to Europe for 20 days was not an easy one, her dad Kelly said.

"We were thinking we didn’t want to send her up to Washington because she was 10 years old….Then after researching People to People and seeing what they do for the kids we knew it would be good for her," Mr. Vessels said. "They go to different countries, do community service, eat what the people eat, interact with the people. They don’t just go to have a good time."

But being nominated and accepted is just part of the process.

"She had to go through an interview with People to People, just to be able to go," Mr. Vessels said. "Just because your teacher nominates you to go doesn’t mean get the money and go. You have to go through the interview process, and now she has been interacting with some of the kids who will be going."

Every month Taylor meets with other students in the area who are attending the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

Mr. Vessels explained that each month the students have a goal they must meet.

"I’m pretty excited and nervous at the same time," Taylor said. "We get to do a home stay where you get to stay a couple of days with people."

Taylor said she is nervous about being on a ship when they cruise to different areas, and about trying different foods.

"I’m excited to see how other cultures live, and to see how different they are from us," Taylor said.

In the meantime, Taylor and her family are planning fund-raisers to help her reach a goal of $7,500 for her trip which will cover not only the expense of the trip but also include some spending money for souvenirs.

Fund-raisers planned include a car wash, bake sale, and a baseball benefit.

In addition to the great experience of meeting new people, and learning about different countries and cultures, Taylor will also earn extra school credit.

Her future goals are to someday attend Texas A&M University and become a veterinarian.

"I love animals," she said. "We have raised so many animals – horses, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats…I just love animals."

Anyone interested in helping Taylor reach her goal in traveling to Europe as a student ambassador from Canton may make donations in her name at the following locations: My Credit Union, 408 E. State Highway 243 in Canton or My Credit Union, 1301 W. South Commerce in Wills Point.

For more information about the program go to their web site at peopletopeople.com or contact Kelly Vessels at (214) 869-5255.