Bowie student to spend summer of service in Panama By MATT ARMES Staff Writer
Most high school students will likely spend their summer vacation working and hanging out with friends and family. Raquel Millet will spend her summer in another country.
Millet, a Bowie native and junior at St. John's College High School, will leave in early June to participate in a volunteer service program in Cocle, Panama.
After learning about the program last summer, Millet approached her parents with the hope of their permission and blessing, but she admitted they needed persuading.
"They weren't too optimistic about it at first, but two weeks later a St. John's graduate came to talk about the very same program," she smiled. "They were more willing to discuss it after that."
Hoping to expand her personal and educational background, Millet chose Panama for two main reasons: to stretch her three years of Spanish classes, and to simply "go somewhere pretty."
Following an interview about the seven-week service opportunity she attended with her parents last October and agreeing to certain requirements, Millet started a comprehensive training program bi-monthly on Sundays, while attending weekend workshops and several retreats.
Designed to help students develop leadership skills necessary to succeed as a volunteer, Millet said the weekend program, which is slated to end later this month, has helped prepare her for the challenges ahead.
"There were two kids I talked to that went to Panama and shared their experiences," she explained. "It definitely changed them. They said they became more fluent in Spanish and enjoyed living in a completely different culture."
"I'd like to become more proficient in Spanish and completely immerse myself in their culture," she added.
This unique service opportunity is sponsored by the Amigos de las Americas DC Chapter, a branch of Amigos de las Americas, which is an international nonprofit organization that provides community service opportunities for youth. The program also helps to contribute and improve the quality of life in Latin American nations.
During her time in Panama, Millet, who is also a member of her school's JROTC program, will focus on increasing active youth involvement in communities; improving the knowledge and awareness of cultural, environmental and health issues; and collaborating with community members on a community-based initiative. However, she will also work on specific projects that are unique to her community.
Her service will begin June 17 and finish Aug. 5. She will work with youth to create a theatrical, musical, dance or poetic performance for the Penonome Youth Festival. And not only will Millet and her group perform at the festival, but they will also be involved in team-building activities and present their community-based initiative.
Fortunately for Millet, she won't be alone in her summer endeavors, as one other high school student from Maryland and several more throughout the United States will be working alongside her during their time away from home.
Traveling outside the country is nothing new for Millet, as she has traveled with her parents several times to their native Caribbean Islands, the last visit while she was in the fifth grade.
But receiving her plane ticket to Panama at the beginning of June poses a reasonable challenge for Millet: extended absence from her family.
"I think the longest I've been away from my parents was two weeks," she said, "and I don't think I've been away from my twin sister, Renee, for more than two days!"
In addition to missing home, Millet cited the language barrier as another obstacle she hoped to overcome.
"I hope I'm able to pick up Spanish a bit better," she said, describing herself as "semi-proficient" in writing but eager to become more fluent with the language.
"We've been learning some of the key phrases to say, and one of them is 'Slow down!' " she joked.
"Teaching health classes in schools is also going to be a lot of fun," she added. Millet said she plans to apply to Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland to major in health studies.
Millet said she's also looking forward to creating and performing in the festival culture show, which garners a great deal of attention from the local community.
"A couple of the students that did the program last year said that they still keep in touch with the people they lived with for several weeks, and I'm looking forward to that, too," she added.
While finishing one AP course and three other honors courses in addition to preparing for the trip, Millet said she's anticipating the program to be a wonderful change of pace.
"I think I'm just looking forward to not being as busy," she said, "and I'm looking forward to seeing something new."
