Unfortunately, I was not able to raise enough money to travel to Europe. However, I did raise enough for a domestic program thanks to your generosity and support. I will be traveling to Stanford for a week in August. For more details, please read the letter below.

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I regret to inform you that due to the current economic situation, I will not be able to raise the funds necessary to travel on an international program to Europe this summer. However, I raised $3,400, which is enough to travel on a domestic program. I chose to switch programs instead of withdrawing because otherwise, a large sum of my deposit wasn’t refundable. Whereas it would be completely transferable if I chose to attend a different program, and I would get any money back that was extra than needed to be paid. The program I chose was the Leadership Summit, which is a week-long venture to one of America’s most prestigious universities and colleges of my choice, a couple examples being John Hopkins, Harvard, and Stanford. If these are unavailable, I will attend a program called Path to Presidential Leadership, which compares and contrasts the lives of two presidents from Illinois, President Lincoln and President Obama. On any of these programs, I will be receiving a small refund. Anyone who would like to have their donation sent back to them, just notify me before June 1 and I will be happy to return your donation. Thank you to everyone that helped me! Hopefully I will be able to raise the money to attend one of the international programs in the next year or so. I will keep everyone posted through my blog on how my trips are progressing.Thanks again to everyone for your help and support!

Sincerely,Greyson Harness
Student Ambassador

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This is the final post on this blog until I again travel with People to People, which shan't be until the economy clears up and it is declared the recession is over. As it looks now, that may be a while, but it could also be soon. Whatever it is, I thank you all for your support and encouragements and kind donations.

Week 4: Christmas

With many people traveling to see family, two people have hired me in advance for dogsitting.

Fundraising

• Total amount raised:$150
• Dogsat one dog; one more scheduled

Events

• N/A

Meetings

• N/A

Custom Vinyl Stickers

Currently I am making custom vinyl stickers. I will be posting designs in later posts, but if you would like to have one that is not shown, e-mail me the picture you would like it to look like, or else describe it. My e-mail is ssenrah@gmail.com. If you have the QuicKutz Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter, I will email you the file for $3. If not, I will send you the vinyl to the adress you supply.

Week 3: Our First Payment

Today is our first payment of $500. We were five dollars short.

Fundraising

• Total amount raised: $362.5
• Shoveled several driveways at $10 a shovel
• First payment made today

Events

• Passport recieved

Meetings

• N/A

Week 2: Baking

This week we prepared for our first fundraiser: a bakesale.

Fundraising

• Total amount raised: $50
• No jobs completed
• Many treats made

Events

• Bakesale scheduled

Meetings

• N/A

Week 1: Starting off

Every week, I will be giving an update on what has been happening with People to People and my fundraising efforts. This week's statistics are below.

Fundraising

• Total amount raised: $472.50
• One job completed: Raking
• 180 flyers passed out locally

Events

• Passport application submitted

Meetings

• First meeting with other student ambassdors in January

An Introduction to People to People Student Ambassador Programs

September, 2006: Recently returned from vacation, we picked up our held mail, and amongst the strewn letters was one that stood out from the rest. It had a picture of a globe in the top left-hand corner, and was addressed to me, Greyson Harness. I opened the letter and was astonished to see its contents.

One of my teachers had recommended me for the World Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. fall of 2007. I jumped at the opportunity, and a year later I was flying east. During my stay, I and the other delegates around me learned of America's past, politics, and government. We spoke to three members of Senate and a Saudi Arabian ambassador at the Saudi Arabian Embassy, where we had Saudi Arabian food and learned a little about Saudi Arabia.

After the journey, I was invited to China, but did not take advantage of this opportunity. Now I have been invited to travel to Europe for nineteen days through Ireland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, and Holland. I was interviewed and submitted three letters of recommendation, none of which came from family. Being accepted , I now have to pay a tidy sum to pay for my activities in Europe. I will also be doing homework, taking quizes, and studying about the countries I will visit.

People to People was founded by President Eisenhower with the philosophy that peace came come from understanding. I hope to be a part of that dream, and hope to help fulfill it by traveling on this program. Not only that, People to People looks great on college applications, and on other documents as well.