[Previous entry: "Val Mark Receives 2006 Rotary Award"] [Next entry: "Local View On Gates Stepping Down"]

06/13/2006: "SJ Islands Ambassadors Class of '06"

(L-R back row: William King, Casey Lehman, Josh Crossen, Christina Tisinger, Ashleigh Barnes, Hana Dubail, Christine Olshefsky. L-R front row: Joyce King, Kyle Gutierrez, Kate Hunter, Alex Freeman, Tristan Wood. Not pictured: Catlyn Keys)

The selections have been made and the training program has started for the class of '06 San Juan Islands Ambassadors.

This year 13 students, ranging in age from 13 to 17, represent San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands. They are a cross-section of the youth of our communities, representing Friday Harbor, Spring Street International School, Griffin Bay, and Lopez and Orcas school systems.

Armed with knowledge, maps and a desire to provide assistance, they will follow in the footsteps of last year's inaugural group of ambassadors who earned rave reviews from visitors as far away as Israel, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey and Japan.


This collaborative effort involves many vendors, trainers and individuals who will provide intensive training beginning June 19th.

Starting July 1st and continuing through the Labor Day weekend, these students will be assigned to ride specific ferries round trip to Anacortes. Westbound sailings will be used to conduct customer satisfaction surveys, eastbound to answer questions and provide assistance.

Other teams will work at locations in Friday Harbor, and Roche Harbor, as well as possible sites at American and English Camps.

Additional information will be provided on the progress of these students and their community supporters as their formal training gets underway.

This program was developed by Minnie Knych of the Workforce Development Council in conjunction with Jim Carroll of Windermere. Mary Kalbert is the program coordinator for this class of '06.