Sam Penney plans to travel to New Zealand and Australia.
OXFORD – Fifteen-year-old Sam Penney of Oxford thinks the best way to promote world peace is to have kids his age learn about each others’ cultures.

Penney, a freshman at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, is working to raise nearly $5,000 to travel to New Zealand and Australia this summer as part of the Maine People to People Student Ambassador Program.

Established in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the concept behind the student ambassador program is more relevant today than ever, Penney believes.

“(Eisenhower) believed that if people from different cultures could come together in peace and friendship, so eventually would countries,” Penney wrote in a fund-raising letter he is circulating to help him with his fund-raising goal.

At a time of war, he said, “I think it is important kids my age should learn other countries’ cultures and see how they are not so far apart, because we are the future and will someday be in charge of keeping peace,” said Penney.

Penney is a straight-A student who has been active in sports, particularly basketball and baseball. He became interested in the People to People program when he received a mailing from the government-supported organization last October.

“I like to travel and meet new people. I get along with most people and (Australia and New Zealand) is a long ways away,” Penney said. “It’s something I’d never be able to do otherwise.”

He’ll be among 40 other students – and the only one from the Oxford Hills – taking part in the 22-day July/August exchange program. Penney has been meeting monthly in Gorham with the students, who are mostly from Maine.

During the trip, he’ll meet government officials, visit the Maori tribe of New Zealand, go snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef and visit Sydney, Australia.

The $4,895 tuition covers all of his expenses, and is due by May 28. Checks may be made payable to People to People Student Ambassador Program and sent to Penney I.D. No. 659485, P.O. 255, Oxford, ME 04270.