Past Student Ambassadors
Brianne // 2001 Delegate
Heritage High School, Class of 2002
What’s your favorite memory from your Australia trip?
I have so many favorite memories, from a radio interview to visiting a local school to staying with three absolutely wonderful host families. Being an animal lover, I loved seeing the vast menageries and road signs for crossing kangaroos, and of course, the Bega Cheese cows! It may seem like a routine and unexciting moment from the trip, but I could feel myself change during the bus ride into Bega. The drive through Australia was so lush and beautiful, and warm and welcoming. Growing up as a shy kid who was a bit of a homebody, I loved traveling and nature but had never experienced anything so impactful. It was that moment that my eyes were opened to the vastness of the world. The delegation I traveled with were adventurous and pushed me to try new things, while also watching out for me like my own parents. The locals embraced us with so much love that I never knew you could get from strangers. The Littleton and Bega organizations had become a familiar family to me. That feeling coupled with being so far from home and seeing such beauty changed my life forever. I wrote in my diary from the trip "wow, people everywhere are the same. They have the same fears, hopes and dreams." It truly made me a more compassionate and conscious member of this fine Earth.
How did the experience change your life?
I attended Colorado State University and studied Zoology, commissioning into the Air Force through ROTC. I'm on year 19 in the Air Force and have been a C-17 pilot and T-1 and T-6 instructor. I live in Texas with my husband and two boys and still love travel, animals, and new experiences. Being a BLSCE Student Ambassador put me on this trajectory and I give the whole organization credit for showing me how amazing the world can be.
Chip // 2011 Delegate
Littleton High School, Class of 2012
What’s your favorite memory from your Australia trip?
My favorite memories were certainly from the time spent with my host family and the other wonderful people of Bega. I still keep in touch with my host families and have been lucky enough to see them a couple of times over the years when they've traveled here to Colorado. That friendship is my favorite lasting impact of the trip. Some particular memories that stick out from my time in Bega are hiking Mount Kosciuszko (highest mountain in Australia), learning to surf with new Bega friends, and flying in a small plane over the Bega Valley. I also loved speaking to the Bega local government, schools, and radio station about Littleton!
How did the experience change your life?
My trip to Australia was the first time I'd been overseas, and the longest time away from my family. It was a great opportunity to explore new places and learn to travel internationally, which has led to a love of travel as an adult. I also learned how rewarding it is to build relationships with people from different places and communities.
Gabriella // 2016 Delegate
Heritage High School, Class of 2018
What’s your favorite memory from your Australia trip?
One of my favorite memories from the trip is when my host family took me to the highest and "lowest" points in Australia in one day. We climbed to the summit of Mt. Kosciuszko, where I introduced my host family to the Coloradoan tradition of a homemade 14er sign. We then visited the beach that evening for a quick walk into the water, to be at the "lowest" point (sea level). I think there is technically a lower point somewhere, but this felt magical to me! Another favorite memory from Bega was from my first evening with my other host family. We were eating dinner on my first evening there, and they were trying to convince me to watch out for "drop bears". I wasn't catching on, until the next day at ParkRun one of them started yelling to watch out for the drop bear. Come to find out, this was all an Australian hijink. I thought it was hilarious, and we all had a great laugh.
How did the experience change your life?
I left the trip with a newfound sense of confidence and independence. I had always been an introverted and shy kid, but had a true passion for public speaking and loved getting to know people on a deep level. This trip gave me a safe and encouraging platform to practice my public speaking skills and to begin coming out of my shell at a time that was crucial for me. I am not certain I would have gone on to achieve as much as I have without the opportunity.
Nettie // 2022 Delegate
Heritage High School, Class of 2023
What’s your favorite memory from your Australia trip?
One of my favorite memories was a whale watching tour in Bega. We got to see so many whales and dolphins. I had wanted to see dolphins in Australia for years as I was unable to on my last trip there. Finally being able to was a wonderful experience.
How did the experience change your life?
This trip truly changed my life. It made me more independent, gave me another chance to see a different part of the world from the perspective of the people living there, and showed me an adventure I will never forget. If you are thinking about becoming a student ambassador for Littleton, I highly recommend it. Yes, you will miss school. But the memories from this trip will last a lifetime.