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Veronica Kopec of Lemont does not know a stranger.
The Everest Academy student will often go out of her way to say hello or make someone feel welcome.
So it is no surprise that Veronica was nominated for and recently chosen to be a Student Ambassador by “People to People,” an educational exploration program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
She was required to complete an application, submit letters of recommendation from at least two teachers and attend an interview before she was selected.
Next summer, Veronica, 11, will join several other students from the Cook County area on the 14-day excursion to England and France. She will meet British leaders, watch the changing of the guards, see the Eiffel Tower and visit Normandy Beach.
Veronica is excited about the trip.
“I’ve always wanted to go to those countries because my dad was a big traveler when he was little and he told me about his experiences,” she said. “I wanted to go see what’s it’s like in different cultures and try the food.”
Veronica said she will probably have some homesickness.
“I’ll be sad but I think when I start having fun and stuff I won’t really think about it that much,” she said.
She is more concerned about how her little brother will fare when she is away.
“When he found out I was going away he wanted to cry because I’m the only person he has to play with,” she said.
Besides her involvement as secretary of the Student Council, Veronica also does tumbling, is in Girl Scouts and takes piano and voice lessons.
Notable
Veronica took a hunter’s safety course last year and is now certified. She hunts deer, turkey and ducks. “The first time I shot a gun I was really scared because I was afraid I would lose my hearing,” she said. “But if you have the right ear protection, you’re fine.” She’s not squeamish about eating what she hunts. “It’s really good if you cook it the right way. It doesn’t taste like game.”
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“When I was little I always used to get leadership awards,” Veronica said. “I always try to be nice to everybody and show them how to be a good person.”
Philosophy
Veronica said her role as a student ambassador is to show leadership. “I want to show other people what they’re missing in America and that we’re here not to just play around but to get involved in stuff.”
Favorites
FOOD Orange chicken, chicken cacciatore
MOVIE “The Parent Trap”
BOOK “City of Ember” series
INTERESTS Bowling, tumbling, reading, cooking
Veronica Kopec of Lemont does not know a stranger.
The Everest Academy student will often go out of her way to say hello or make someone feel welcome.
So it is no surprise that Veronica was nominated for and recently chosen to be a Student Ambassador by “People to People,” an educational exploration program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
She was required to complete an application, submit letters of recommendation from at least two teachers and attend an interview before she was selected.
Next summer, Veronica, 11, will join several other students from the Cook County area on the 14-day excursion to England and France. She will meet British leaders, watch the changing of the guards, see the Eiffel Tower and visit Normandy Beach.
Veronica is excited about the trip.
“I’ve always wanted to go to those countries because my dad was a big traveler when he was little and he told me about his experiences,” she said. “I wanted to go see what’s it’s like in different cultures and try the food.”
Veronica said she will probably have some homesickness.
“I’ll be sad but I think when I start having fun and stuff I won’t really think about it that much,” she said.
She is more concerned about how her little brother will fare when she is away.
“When he found out I was going away he wanted to cry because I’m the only person he has to play with,” she said.
Besides her involvement as secretary of the Student Council, Veronica also does tumbling, is in Girl Scouts and takes piano and voice lessons.
Notable
Veronica took a hunter’s safety course last year and is now certified. She hunts deer, turkey and ducks. “The first time I shot a gun I was really scared because I was afraid I would lose my hearing,” she said. “But if you have the right ear protection, you’re fine.” She’s not squeamish about eating what she hunts. “It’s really good if you cook it the right way. It doesn’t taste like game.”
& quotable
“When I was little I always used to get leadership awards,” Veronica said. “I always try to be nice to everybody and show them how to be a good person.”
Philosophy
Veronica said her role as a student ambassador is to show leadership. “I want to show other people what they’re missing in America and that we’re here not to just play around but to get involved in stuff.”
Favorites
FOOD Orange chicken, chicken cacciatore
MOVIE “The Parent Trap”
BOOK “City of Ember” series
INTERESTS Bowling, tumbling, reading, cooking
