Lexington Students Travel to Europe as Ambassadors

Two Lexington students will immerse themselves in the culture of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales during an educational trip this summer. 

Jacob Bouknight, a rising seventh-grader at Carolina Springs Elementary, and Mack Hester, a rising ninth-grader at River Bluff High, are traveling with a group of 39 students from across the U.S. through the People to People Ambassador Program. 

Bouknight, Hester and five other Midlands students left from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Wednesday afternoon.

During the trip, they'll visit schools, do a community service project at peat fields in Ireland and visit Parliament in London.

Preparing for the trip was a long process, said Jacob Bouknight's mother, Alison Bouknight. Her son had to raise money for the trip by selling firewood with his dad and asking for donations from friends and family. He also had to watch videos on the cultures of the countries he'll be visiting and take quizzes. 

"I'm really proud of him," Alison Bouknight said. "Raising the funds was the hardest part. It's been a learning experience for him." 

Students who want to travel through the People to People Program have to apply, go through an interview and submit letters of recommendation. 

"I think it's great for children and students," Bouknight said. "It's very educational to see the world." 

Five other students from the Midlands are also traveling: 

• Autumn Bennett - rising ninth-grader at Dutch Fork High School
• Mae Edwards - rising sixth-grader at Chapin Middle School
• Ashley Talbert - rising ninth-grader at Dutch Fork High School
• Cole Upton - rising ninth-grader at Chapin High School
• Amber Prewitt - student at Wilson Hall in Sumter