Hannah Tullett has an opportunity most eighth-graders can only dream about: Winning a scholarship that will pay for an educational trip to Europe for 19 days this summer.

Tullett is a recipient in the People to People Ambassador Programs’ “50 for 50 Scholarship Sweepstakes,” a program that awards scholarships to a winner in each state. As the winner for Montana, she will represent the state as a student ambassador with People to People for the modern ancient civilizations tour to Italy and Greece.

 “I was so happy I was jumping around the room,” said Tullett, a student at Evergreen Junior High School. “I love Italy and Greece. I always wanted to go there since I was a kid.”

The program was open to students in fifth through 12th grade and winners were selected through a random drawing.

“I am so excited to have this opportunity,” Tullett said. “I am most looking forward to meeting new people with different cultures and seeing the world in a different way. Living in Montana, we do not have the diversity other states or countries see.”

During her travels Tullett will get to explore cultural attractions such as the Coliseum in Rome and the Acropolis in Athens. She’s excited to eat authentic Italian food and dip her feet in the Mediterranean Sea.

People to People Ambassador Programs were established in the 1960s to provide educational travel experiences to build cultural awareness. The programs are part of People to People International, a nonprofit founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to promote world peace through understanding.

Tullett first traveled through People to People in fifth grade on a trip to Washington, D.C. through a Leadership Ambassador Program after being nominated by Evergreen Middle School teacher Don Petersen. With the Italy and Greece trip, Petersen wrote a recommendation for her application.

“She'll represent our school, her family and our country well. She's a good student who is polite, respectful and kind,” Petersen said.

Tullett has traveled to Mexico and Canada before, but this will be her first trip overseas. Her mother, Cyrena Canfield, said the trip will afford her the opportunity to see diversity not just among people, but in food, culture, customs, language and history.

“I think this is a great way to open her eyes to the different cultures and opportunities. I want her to feel confident in exploring the world and know there is so much out there to see,” her mother said.

Tullett is a Girl Scout, honors student and was class representative for Evergreen's student council. She plays the trumpet, violin and French horn. In her spare time she participates with Bigfork Playhouse.

Glacier High School sophomore Tera Fisher also is planning to travel on the modern ancient civilizations tour to Italy and Greece with People to People Ambassador Programs.

“I just learned about the places we’re going and their history in Western civilizations [class],” Fisher said. “I absolutely love Greek mythology and we get to see the Parthenon and other works of art about the gods and goddesses.”

Fisher is trying to raise the $7,000 needed for airfare, food and lodging by collecting used cell phones and ink jet cartridges through a fundraiser called “Phoneraiser.” Boxes were placed at Glacier High School, Flathead High School and Kalispell Middle School and she plans to place more at different businesses.

In addition to the fundraiser, Fisher said she hopes to get corporate sponsorships and is planning other fundraisers, possibly a run-a-thon and raffle.

“I’m taking it one step at a time,” Fisher said.

Besides Canada, this will be her first trip out of the country and will be a good education in self-reliance and responsibility, she said.

To sponsor Fisher, email her at [email protected]. For more information about the program visit www.peopletopeople.com.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].