Student Outlook -- Kellie Brownell

With the school year drawing to a close, questions about what students

are doing during the summer seem to be bubbling up everywhere. From

getting ahead in summer school to traveling around Europe, the three

months between June and September offer more than enough time for

teenagers to explore the world around them.

However, with college tuition looming just around the corner, many

high school juniors and seniors are hesitant to finance extravagant

adventures overseas. But through the generosity of an anonymous

benefactor in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, your dream of

spending summer studying butterflies in Vietnam, forests in Bohemia, or

Roman forts in Southern England should not be dispelled due to the price

tag.

As one of the primary organizations that provides students and adults

with the opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to conduct

scientific research around the globe, Earthwatch can be a monumental

asset to your summer and, on a broader scale, life. They provide two-week

expeditions year-round that seek to advance scientific and

archeologicalresearch, educate and inspire those participating and

preserve the environment through conservational programs.

One of Earthwatch’s most commendable aspects is that they invite not

only experts in a particular field but interested and enthusiastic adults

and students to participate as well. For those interested in applying

next year, it can be extremely advantageous to submit your application in

the fall or winter because they only accept two high school students per

expedition, but that should by no means discourage anyone from finding

out more information about the dozens of different programs they offer.

Any interested student should not be intimidated or overlook the

scholarship opportunity that is unique to our district due to the

benevolence of an unspecified donor.

Though dozens of students have taken advantage of the Earthwatch

fellowship opportunities throughout the years, there has been no name or

identification to whom they are allowed to express their gratitude. So

often, as collegiate buildings and theater seats can testify, generous

benefactors seem to be desiring an association of their names with what

they have financially contributed to.

Though this does not in anyway undermine their charitable efforts, it

does place those donors in a different category of those who wish merely

to help, without reaping in any recognition for their efforts. And even

though the acknowledgment may not have been sought out, the many lives

that have been changed because of the opportunities that are provided to

these students does not mean that thanks is not deserved for all of your

efforts to enhance global awareness and concern at the high school level.

* KELLIE BROWNELL is a junior at Newport Harbor High School where she

is editor-in-chief of the Beacon. Her columns will appear on an

occasional basis in the Community Forum section.