You ordinarily wouldn't expect bowling to
lead to a chance for a kid to compete internationally at
age 14. But, that's just what Kharia
Kharia Hunter |
Hunter will be doing next month in Amsterdam,
Holland.
The girl from Ferguson will be one of the
student-athletes who will compete in the 2006 Youth Friendship
Games July 21-31. Last year, more than 7,300 athletes from
29 different countries took part in the Games.
For the recent Ferguson Middle School graduate,
this trip will include a number of firsts.
It will be her first trip outside the United
States. It will involve her first airplane flight. It will
be the first chance to experience foreign cultures in person.
She also will be traveling without her mother
or father. "The parents weren't invited," she said. However,
there are plenty of adult coaches and chaperons involved.
In an understatement, Kharia said, "I'm excited.
I may write a book about this."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower |
In taking the trip, she will be participating
in an international good-will youth exchange that was founded
50 years ago by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The
president felt peaceful relations between countries "require
mutual respect between individuals."
Thus, the Youth Fellowship Games are more
than just athletic competition. The organizers make sure
the kids get opportunities to mingle with kid athletes from
around the world. They also will travel around Holland.
Kharia will be one of five kids from various
countries who will make up a team for the bowling competition.
They also will live together throughout the Games.
Kharia
said she is looking forward to experiencing the Dutch culture
and meeting kids from all over the world. She admits she
doesn't know the Dutch language but adds, "I'm willing to
learn."
She said she's initially shy but opens up
as she gets to know people. "I'm quiet in the beginning
but I can be loud later on," she said.
She said she's studied Europe in her social
studies class. "But, that was mostly about Medieval history,"
she added. Kharia is using the Internet to research current
conditions.
Kharia said she believes she was recommended
for the Youth Fellowship Games by a former bowling teacher.
Bowling is one of eight sports in the Youth Games.
The others are baseball, basketball, soccer,
swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.
During June, Kharia will be busy working with
her family and friends to raise the $4,000 it costs to go
to the games. And, of course, she's working extra hard in
bowling practice. (Anyone who wants to contribute to
Kharia's travel fund can call either (314) 395-1279
or (314) 323-3677.)
She is a member of a co-ed bowling team called
the Striking Teens. They bowl on Saturdays at Dick Weber
Lanes in Florissant. After league bowling ends, Kharia stays
around to take additional bowling instruction.
After her mother, Shelly Grant, accepted the
initial invitation, Kharia had three interviews to make
sure she'd be a good ambassador for the People to People
program.
Kharia takes part in cheerleading and modeling
at Mathews-Dickey Girls and Boys Club.
She regularly helps her mother in her work
as a deacon at the Greater New Higher Heights UCC Church
in south St. Louis. Kharia also sings in the church choir.
President Eisenhower's granddaughter, Mary
Eisenhower, is now CEO of People to People International.
That's the organization that sponsors the Youth Friendship
Games.
That group wants the participants to make
the most of future opportunities that can come after their
athletic competition.
In a brochure explaining the program, there
was a feature on Dorey Gray, an American girl who won the
Most Valuable Player award in volleyball last year. For
Dorey, the trip to the 2005 Games also was her first international
travel experience.
She said she wants to earn a sports anthropology
degree in college and then work in Africa for the Peace
Corps or the World Health Organization.
One of Kharia's early non-sport benefits
will be her automatic enrollment in a course at Washington
University's School of World Studies. That will enable her
to earn high school and college credits in the area of world
studies.
Also, Kharia becomes one of the Youth Friendship
Games alumni. Next year, they will explain their experiences
to new invitees.
Kharia's mother said, "We look on this as
an opening for the rest of her life."
Kharia has her sights on becoming a doctor
when she grows up.
