Spotlight Article: Teens Plans for Summer Fun!

Three Local Teens Share Their Plans for Summer with TeenLife Contributing Writer Casey Accardi

Catherine King is a Junior at Wellesley High School and is going to participate in the Circus Smirkus Road Show this summer.

Casey Accardi: What is Circus Smirkus?

Catherine King: Circus Smirkus (http://www.smirkus.org/) is a non-profit youth circus with the mission of promoting the skills, culture, and traditions of the traveling circus while inspiring youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts. Circus Smirkus Camp, which I attend, is an awesome way to learn how to do all of the cool things that you see at the circus but never thought you could actually do yourself! There are lots of different programs for kids ages 6 to 18.

CA: Why did you become involved with Circus Smirkus?

CK: When I was younger, my mom would take me to see the Circus Smirkus touring group at Elm Bank in Wellesley. I always thought it was really cool, and when I was in 7^th grade, I decided that I wanted to be apart of the circus myself, so I signed up for Circus Smirkus Camp. I started in beginner camp and ended up having a great time and have gone back to camp every year since then.

CA: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

CK: This summer will be a little different for me because instead of going to regular skill-building camp, I auditioned and was accepted into the twelve-person Road Show that performs for organizations around Vermont like nursing homes and childcare centers. I'm really looking forward to touring Vermont with my circus friends and being able to give back to the local community while performing.

Branden Miles is a freshman at Brookline High School. This summer he plans to participate in EXPLO at Yale University.

CA: What is EXPLO?

Branden Miles: EXPLO (http://www.explo.org/), which stands for Exploration, is a summer program focused on learning in a fun, fast-paced environment. It brings together students from all over the world to explore subjects that usually aren't touched upon during the school year. There is a program for 4^th through 7^th grade students at St. Marks School, a program for 8^th through 9^th grade students at Wellesley College, and a 10^th through 12^th grade program at Yale University.

CA: How did you hear about EXPLO?

BM: My brother went to EXPLO for two years and had a great time and learned a lot, so my parents thought it would be a great fit for me as well. Originally they heard about it at a Camp Expo at Brookline High School.

CA: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

BM: I am definitely looking forward to meeting all sorts of people. In past years, I've gotten to know people from Italy, South Korea, China, Ireland, Venezuela, and Brazil. It is always exciting to get a glimpse of what normal life is like for teens in other countries. I certainly hope to learn about other cultures; I think that the more people you meet, the better your understanding of the world around you becomes.

Rebekah Benjamin-Pollak is a Junior at the Winsor School and will be traveling to China this summer with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).

CA: What is NSLI-Y?

Rebekah Benjamin-Pollak: NSLI-Y (http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/nsli.html) is the National Security Language Initiative for Youth. It is a program that offers merit based scholarships to high school students or recent high school graduates who are interested in studying a language abroad that is not usually offered in America. It sends students to South Korea, Tajikistan, China, Turkey, India, Russia, and one program that goes to either Egypt, Jordan, or Morocco. The trips are all expenses paid, including travel and room/board.

CA: Why did you apply to NSLI-Y?

RBP: My teacher told me about NSLI-Y and I applied online (although a few forms had to be sent in the mail). I had to write two essays and a letter to a future host family, as well as send my school transcript and get one teacher recommendation. I chose to apply because I had previously taken part in a summer program in China, but wanted a more academically rigorous program with other driven, interested students who are just as passionate about learning the language and immersing themselves in the culture as I am.

CA: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

RBP: I am really excited because the trip is six weeks long and I will life with a host family for the entire time. My host family might not even have kids, so I might be an only child in China! The family is responsible for taking care of me, feeding me, and sending me to class (usually on public transportation) every day. I have four hours of language classes scheduled a day, and the program believes in experiential learning, so after we have a quiz, we go into the city and use the language we've just learned. I'm super psyched!

-Casey Accardi is a junior at Wellesley High School who is interested in communications, social work, and psychology. She is co-president of the Premier Choir of the Boston Children's Chorus and music director of her school's female a cappella group, Ladies First.