Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

7/12/07

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn High School Junior Selected as
2007 Seafair Ambassador

Elizabeth Pierini, an incoming junior at Auburn High School, was selected as one of the 2007 Seafair Ambassadors.

In April, Elizabeth, along with over 100 other high school students, attended a one-day Symposium at Qwest Field to hear from influential community business leaders about the following topics: Keeping Our World Green; U.S. Relations in Developing Countries; and Cultural Trends of Music, Fashion and Sports. “Ron Sims talked to us about lifelong education; there were also speakers from Nordstrom, Starbucks and Weyerhaeuser,” says Elizabeth.

Following the Symposium, participating students produced a Synthesis Statement using their media vehicle of choice (essay, video, PowerPoint, etc.) to compete for six positions as Seafair Ambassadors, a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to Kobe, Japan.

Elizabeth opted to produce a PowerPoint presentation about how she is inspired to become a teacher but to never stop being a student. “It’s our job to keep on learning and never take our education for granted,” remarks Elizabeth. Elizabeth is strong in public speaking thanks to her participation on Auburn High’s speech and debate team, so she decided to film her PowerPoint presentation and send it in on DVD. “I really wanted to show the selection committee my public speaking skills,” says Elizabeth.

Ultimately, Elizabeth was selected to represent the City of Seattle and Seafair as one of six high school ambassadors after a successful interview with the Seafair board of directors.

She and her fellow ambassadors have the opportunity to host a Kobe student ambassador from July 27-31. Elizabeth and her family will be hosting two students. In addition, the Seafair ambassadors will be leading the Torchlight Parade on July 28; touring and picnicking at the new Olympic Sculpture Park; meeting Mayor Greg Nickels and listening in on a conference call between Mayor Nickels and a public official from Kobe, Japan; volunteering at the hydroplane races; attending Kobe night at Safeco Field; and sightseeing with the Kobe student ambassadors.

Elizabeth has already jumped into the action of Seafair, volunteering last weekend at the Milk Carton Derby “Imagination Station,” which is a station where kids decorate their own milk cartons and then float them on the water.

The trip to Kobe, Japan, is “a once in a lifetime experience,” according to Elizabeth. It is a unique opportunity to learn about international relations from community and business leaders in Seattle’s sister city. Ambassadors will meet Japanese government officials, visit local high schools and visit famous historical sights. They will also stay with host families. The trip is planned for early November 2007. “I’m excited about experiencing the culture and traveling there and not having my parents to lean on. I will have to go out and experience Japan on my own,” says Elizabeth.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.