Rusk 5th grader goes to Alaska
BY LELAND ACKER

A Rusk Intermediate School fifth-grader is heading to Alaska after being accepted into an ambassador program started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s. Zachary Swearingen was accepted into the "People to People" program after being referred by a current member and maintaining good grades.

According to a press release from the People to People program, President Eisenhower, along with Walt Disney and Joyce C. Hall (founder of Hallmark cards), founded the program in 1956 to foster understanding between different cultures, helping them understand that while different, their desires for life are the same. (Shortly after the meeting, Walt Disney created his "It's a Small World" attraction.

"To be involved in People to People, you have to be referred by a teacher or someone who has already been on a trip," said Tara Swearingen, Zachary's mother. "Then, they send you a letter and you can sign your child up."

Once a student becomes an ambassador, they can travel on a number of trips, Mrs. Swearingen said. Zachary was referred by Kaylee Birdwell, who went to Australia last year.

Zachary's visit to Alaska will involve trips to the Valdez Oil Refinery, a dogsled training facility and white-water rafting.

"I'm really looking forward to the white-water rafting," Zachary said. "I'm looking forward to having fun, meeting new friends and learning a lot about Alaska."

People to People ambassadors are encouraged to do fundraising to pay for their trips. Zachary has a basket at the Southern Cherokee Federal Credit Union to be raffled off. He has also sold baked goods and baby-sits. Zachary will leave for Alaska on July 17. The trip is expected to take two weeks.