Eisenhower Senior High Student Visits Israel

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Mary Ancelmo of Ike Senior recently related her experience this summer as part of the 10 high school juniors selected from the 18th Congressional District for the Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship.

The program, which was developed by the late Congressman Mickey Leland in 1980, is a nonprofit leadership program. Congressman Leland’s vision was to inspire teenagers from his district who demonstrated leadership skills toward higher achievement and to become citizens of the world. According to Kent Friedman, a Mickey Leland board member, Leland, who grew up in poverty and never got the chance to travel abroad before college, wanted to give kids an opportunity to travel abroad.

“Congressman Leland thought the students could benefit from the experience abroad,” said Friedman. “He visited Israel and was taken aback at how Israel has thrived as a nation. Congressman Leland also had the opportunity to visit several kibbutzim and admired the strong sense of community and how everyone on a kibbutz has a shared sense of responsibility for one another. This is something he wanted young leaders to experience.”

The selection process is very competitive. In January, students begin to apply (the deadline is the end of March). In April, 20 finalists — 10 boys and 10 girls — are selected and interviewed to select the 10 interns — five boys and five girls — who will spend the entire month of July in Israel. The cost for travel, accommodations and everything but spending money for personal items is covered for the interns.

Friedman added that the program gives the young ambassadors a chance to learn about themselves and other cultures.

“The program is designed to help students change their way of looking at the world,” expressed Friedman. “As future leaders, it is vital they keep an open mind. They need to develop a broader view of the world. While in Israel, the students live with host families, work at several kibbutzim, participate in team building exercises as well as learn the history of Israel. The students visit the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean, Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious sites, and Jerusalem.”

The experience has not been lost on Ancelmo who is a senior International Baccalaureate student this school year.

“This was the best experience of my life,” stated Ancelmo. “Every day was filled with constant activities and every night I would think back amazed at everything I had seen and done. While in Israel I had the opportunity to do many things for the first time such as kayaking and rafting. The experience was very adventurous and fun.

“We sang along to music, danced, hand washed and everything was fun and memorable. I got to swim in the Jordan River, ride a camel, sleep in a Bedouin tent, swim in nature reserves that were full of waterfalls, visited a cave, climbed a mountain, sang at karaoke night, and visited Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and several kibbutzim and so much more. I made friends and felt as if I had known them all my life. Words are not able to capture how life changing and amazing this opportunity was for me.”

Ancelmo also encourages other high school juniors to apply for the chance to travel to Israel.

“This trip is the best memory I have,” related Ancelmo. “I encourage any junior to apply and for everyone to visit Israel at least once in their lifetime.”

For more information about the Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship, visit the website.