Chelsea Marshall, of Buffalo High was selected as Student Delegate 2009 for the People to People Ambassador Program’s Leadership Summit on International Diplomacy, but needs help raising money for the trip.
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Chelsea Marshall, of Buffalo High was selected as Student Delegate 2009 for the People to People Ambassador Program’s Leadership Summit on International Diplomacy, but needs help raising money for the trip.
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BUFFALO - Chelsea Marshall, a 10th-grader at Buffalo High School, was selected as a Student Delegate 2009 for the People to People Ambassador Program's Leadership Summit on International Diplomacy, but lacks the funds to take the trip.
Chelsea was thrilled to be nominated because it is her dream to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations or the U.N. Ambassador to Germany or Japan. The Summit takes place in New York and Washington D.C.
"I've always liked politics and would rather be with something that promotes peace rather than violence," Chelsea said. "I've always wanted to do something monumental where I know I've made a difference and want to know my life has been used for good."
Students are chosen on the basis of exemplary grades and leadership skills.
Chelsea was chosen by her school counselor Michelle Johnson. According to Johnson, the People to People Leadership Summit representatives send nomination forms to high schools annually.
"I nominate students based on academic promise, leadership skills, and who lack discipline problems," Johnson said. "Chelsea was nominated based on that criterion."
Chelsea was notified, in August, by a letter from the People to People organization that she had been nominated and later received a letter from the organization explaining the cost. According to Chelsea, many students over the years have been selected but are unable go because of the cost.
"For a few days I never made mention of the price," Chelsea said. "I thought the price was so high that my parents wouldn't let me go."
Chelsea's mother, Robin, said they kind of panicked at first about how to raise the money.
She said she asked the school several times to help raise the money and they have not helped her.
Johnson said that Buffalo High School does not help in financing People to People because it is something that students and their parents choose to do on their own.
According to Johnson, the school has sent recommendation letters to area businesses, politicians, and civic groups without much response.
"The school would like to financially assist students with this opportunity, but if the school funds one program, then the school would need to fund all student programs," Johnson said. "Buffalo High School is not able to finance such endeavors."
Instead of telling Chelsea that the trip was too expensive, Robin thought that the $5,000 price tag was not too far out of reach since they had from October to April to raise the money.
"Chelsea is out there raising money but she needs help," Robin said.
Together with the help of friends and family, Chelsea has made a dent in the price of the trip.
They have sold food in the Buffalo Oktoberfest, put donation buckets in various businesses, made and sold Christmas ornaments, and raffled off items. Chelsea has also sent out letters to local businesses asking for donations. Her tuition money needs to be into People to People by April 16.
As a student delegate, Chelsea will spend five days in New York City where she will visit Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the United Nations Building, and five days in Washington D.C. Throughout the 10-day program, Chelsea and other students, will conduct a model United Nations taking different councils in the United Nations and current issues/problems within them, and try to work through those to find solutions.
"I met the academic goals needed to be included among those selected for the People to People program, now it's time to meet the financial goals of making this dream a reality," Chelsea said.
Ways to donate to Chelsea's cause.
Tax-deductible donations in the name of Chelsea Marshall can be sent to any Star USA Federal Credit Union. STAR FCU P.O. Box 10 Buffalo, WV 25033.
Donation buckets are located at the Dairy Freeze in Winfield, Dairy Queen in Eleanor, the BP gas station in Teays Valley across from Liberty Square, and at the auction house in Buffalo.Also, proceeds from an auction, taking place March 3 on Cross Creek Road, in Buffalo, will go towards Chelsea's trip. Donations can also be sent to Chelsea's home at P.O. Box 436 Buffalo, WV 25033.
For more information log onto marshalltopeople.com.