The U.S. Department of State recently welcomed to the U.S.A. a multi-regional group of seventeen international visitors who were eager to learn about American volunteerism and how the country motivates its young people towards civic involvement. After this International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group attended MLK Day celebrations in Atlanta, it divided into smaller sections, each traveling separately to a different southern city. Those who arrived in Pensacola were from Angola, Australia, Kenya, Kosovo, Luxembourg, and the United Arab Emirates and represented leaders in their respective governments and non-governmental organizations.
On their first day, President of the City Council, Maren DeWeese welcomed the six professionals to Pensacola. The councilwoman answered questions concerning local government functions and then introduced Jeff Pohlman of the City Parks and Recreation Department who described a new city-wide beautification project that is marshalling local citizens in keeping their neighborhood parks clean. In addition, Ms. DeWeese presented each visitor with an Honorary Citizenship certificate and wished them a pleasant stay in northwest Florida.
After leaving City Hall, the delegation took time to explore local history at the T.T. Wentworth Museum before heading to the University of West Florida (UWF). At UWF they were greeted by Dr. Lusharon Wiley, Associate Dean of Students, and a host of other UWF organizations including Volunteer UWF, UWF Student Ambassadors and Campus Activity Board, and members of Common Ground Diversity & Inclusion. Each explained how they create volunteer opportunities for students which also grow leadership skills and enhance personal growth. Before leaving campus, one lucky visitor met up with an American who works at UWF and who just happens to share the same name with him.
Later, an evening of high school basketball was on order for the visitors as the West Florida School Jaguars took on the Pensacola Christian Warriors.
On their second day, the group met with Buzz Eddy, Gulf Breeze City Manager, and students from Gulf Breeze High School. Mr. Eddy discussed the important work of the Youth in Government Symposium that introduces students to civic responsibility and encourages their participation in local decision-making. The visitors and students discussed what drives them to volunteer their time and brainstormed ideas about how to encourage more young people to be civic-minded. To commemorate Arbor Day the entire group then boarded a school bus and met with the Mayor of Gulf Breeze, Beverly Zimmern, and with members of a local garden club for a tree dedication ceremony at a newly-built children’s park. The delegation enjoyed seeing a vivid example of a completely community-driven project.
That same day, the group enjoyed visiting Booker T. Washington High School for a tour and discussion with the Student Government Class headed by instructor Rachel Dillion. Principal Dr. Michael Roberts and Assistant Principal Susan Soderlind graciously accompanied the guests to various classrooms and explained how accumulating volunteer hours helps students prepare for college applications.
On Saturday, the group participated in a special volunteer opportunity which was crafted by Dr. David Mills and Elizabeth Bolles at the Langley Bell 4H Center. Scout parents and about twenty Boy Scouts representing Troops 628 and 430 spent the morning with the group planting trees, building benches, clearing brush, and erecting fences towards their year-long Hornaday Project. Thanks to Beth Bolles, each delegate planted and “adopted” a tree together with a local scout who will be the tree’s caretaker in their absence. Also, some of the visitors had their first taste of s’mores and chance to roast marshmallows while warming by the fireplace during the cold morning hours.
Home hospitality dinners were hosted by Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council members Randy & Sunaree Bullock, Richard & Lea Schneider, and Brian & Vicki Barlow. The Barlow family also provided one visitor the chance to attend church services on Sunday morning per her request.
For their final day of appointments, the group met with administrators and students at the West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. Principal Eric Smith, Admissions Coordinator Lori Anderson, and Vice-Principal Shenna Payne shared how the school developed its successful career academies and then introduced several of these innovative programs during classroom visits. For the visitors, a special treat included a demonstration of the wind tunnel in the aerospace engineering class.
To round out their time, Kurt Larson of Youth Leadership Pensacola shared how his organization guides students on a four day intensive program to learn how to influence the future of the Pensacola Bay Area.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this visit a successful and memorable experience for our visitors.
