Douglas High students raising money for South Pacific trip

Both Anna Jackson and Cassie Parr, Douglas High sophomores and swim team members, said they want to get out of Nevada and explore different cultures. That's why they're raising $6,500 each to participate in People to People International's student ambassador program this summer.

"I always wanted to go to Australia," said Anna. "I want to learn about the culture, and come back a more well-rounded person."

"I want to see how they live their lives," Cassie said. "See how it's different from how we live."

People to People International was founded in 1950 by President Eisenhower as a means to connect different cultures around the world.

The student ambassador program focuses on the development of an individual's maturity, independence and appreciation of the world, according to their Web site.

Long-time friends, Anna and Cassie were invited to a People to People meeting earlier this year where they learned of two programs for the summer of 2008, one in Europe and one in the South Pacific. They agreed they wanted to go south, to see Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.

"I want to see the Sydney opera house, and all the wildlife in Australia, the kangaroos and koala bears," said Cassie.

Anna said she was excited about visiting indigenous cultures in New Zealand, including a night's stay in a Marae, a meeting house of the Maori people.

"It's very educational," she said. "We have to write journals everyday. And we can get high school credit for it."

Other highlights of the 19-day trip include spending a day in a Fijian classroom, visiting the Marine Education and Recreation Center in New Zealand and meeting with government officials in Australia.

"We made $160 last month recycling," said Anna.

The students have organized a recycling fundraiser by asking businesses for their plastic, glass and aluminum waste materials.

They plan on making one trip a month to the recycling center in South Lake Tahoe, which, being in California, pays high premiums for recyclable matter.

"We also want to start an overnight baby-sitting service," said Cassie. "And we're thinking of other ways to raise money, like gift-wrapping for the holidays."

Anna said they discussed a swim-a-thon where they would take pledges to swim a certain number of laps and give half the proceeds away to charity.

"It's great business experience," said mother Margaret Anna. "Fundraising, fliers, publicity... And I think their trip is going to build their confidence. I'm very jealous to be honest with you. I wish I was going."

For more information about the students' recycling program or other fundraisers, e-mail Anna at annabanana2992@charter.net or e-mail Cassie at yellowcp@charter.net.