Littlefork teen selected for unique program

The 17-year-old senior at Littlefork-Big Falls School is preparing for the experience of a lifetime. In July, the teen will travel all over the United States, Mexico and Europe for a semester-long international, educational and cultural program, Up with People.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing all these new things,” she said. “I’m really excited.”

Wendt was one of about 100 people selected among thousands to tour with Up with People, which provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches service leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world, according to a release.

In the same release, Colleen Eastman, Up with People’s manager of enrollment, said, “During the past four decades, the 20,000 participants who have traveled in Up with People have gone to to become enthusiastic leaders in their communities and world ... We are excited to have Wendt represent Littlefork on our next world tour.”

Wendt and others in the program will spend a few weeks in Denver, Colo., training before traveling to the East Coast for five weeks, Mexico for five weeks and Europe for another five weeks. All the while, she will be taking college courses and will earn 12 college credits.

“I’m a big family person, so it will be hard to be gone for that long,” she said. “But it’ll be good.”

The group, Wendt said, will move to a different city each week to work on a wide range of community service projects while living with a different host family.

“They told us the community service can be anything from reading to children to building houses,” she said of the more than 200 hours of community service she will perform during the semester.

At the end of the week, the group puts on a performance for the community.

Taking the opportunity

Wendt’s cousin works for Up with People and Wendt said after hearing about the program, she knew it was right up her alley.

“I’m very interested in communications and I’m involved in a lot of community service and theater,” she said. “And (Up with People) is kind of a combination of all of those.”

The teen has quite the resume of community service work both within Littlefork and nationally. Aside from heavy involvement with her church, Littlefork Lutheran Church, she also volunteers at the local nursing home and at her school.

“I also went on an 11-day trip to Louisiana to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina,” she said.

And if that doesn’t keep her busy enough, Wendt is also involved in volleyball, theater, National Honor Society, student council and knowledge bowl.

“I don’t get a lot of free time,” she said with a laugh. “But I like it.”

So what is it about helping others that keeps Wendt coming back for more?

“I think it’s the reaction on people’s faces when they’ve been helped and see that people care,” she said.

Paying her way

While Wendt can apply for scholarships and financial aid through Up with People, she said the cost of the trip comes out of her own pocket.

“I’ll be doing a lot of fundraising,” she said.

One of the bigger efforts Wendt has planned is an April 26 dinner and silent auction at Littlefork Lutheran Church, 1210 Sixth Ave., Littlefork.

The free-will dinner, which is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m., will feature Wendt and give a presentation about Up with People and what she’ll be doing with the program.

She added she plans to send sponsor letters to area businesses to help with funding.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity and am so thankful of whoever can help make this journey possible for me,” she said. “I just want to make a difference and I want to help people.”