Student among scholars traveling overseas

MOSES LAKE — Frontier Middle School eighth grade student Megan Reigstad knows she wants to do something big with her life. What it is, she hasn't decided.

"Last week was heart surgeon, but then I realized how squeamish I was," Reigstad said.

Reigstad, 14, is one of 40 students in the state invited to Europe through the People to People Student Ambassador Programs. The invitation-only Mediterranean Adventure program is taking her on a 21-day tour to the countries of Spain, Italy and France.

"I read books about these places, and I think it's really great that I'm going to get to see it," Reigstad said.

The self-taught piano player and honor student is a musician, athlete and scholar. Reigstad plays clarinet and bass clarinet in school. She participates in softball and volleyball, and she participates in the Frontier Middle School Science Olympiad competition each year. In sixth grade she went as an alternate to the state competition with her eighth-grade peers.

"I love discussing politics and science with my dad," Reigstad said.

Even with all the activities she is involved with, she said she can't imagine cutting anything out of her schedule.

Her father, Jim Reigstad, said Megan Reigstad chooses the activities she participates in.

"We say, 'OK, I guess we'll drive you,'" he joked. "She is a self-starter. It's not any pushing from us."

Megan Reigstad did note her father watches her performances in school.

"My dad is insane," she said. "He checks our grades online every single day."

Megan Reigstad is looking for sponsors to help cover the $5,600 it costs to attend the program. She is meeting with Home Depot next week and seeking out other donors in the community. Jim Reigstad is a disabled U.S. Navy veteran and his wife is attending school to become a teacher.

Megan Reigstad said she is looking forward to seeing Italy and Vatican City in particular. She is excited at the opportunity to live with a host family and learn about other cultures and foods.

"Then she'll come home and we'll have hours and hours of conversation on all those things I wanted to see," her father said.

Megan Reigstad said her goals in life, although they change weekly, are likely going to be business-related. No matter what she chooses to do, she is certain she is going to do something big.

"Big college, big career," she said.