Castor student will play on US softball team By Mary K. Hamner Nicole Warren, a seventeen year old honor student and sports enthusiast at Castor High School, will travel to Vienna, Austria this summer to participate as a USA softball team member of the People to People Sports Ambassador Program. Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the program in 1956, believing that if people from different cultures could come together in peace and friendship, so eventually would countries. Sports Ambassadors on tournament-based programs will experience the thrill of Olympic-style competition, from festive opening ceremonies to match-ups with top teams from other nations. These Ambassadors train under all-star head coaches-many of them Olympic gold medallists-before the tournament in an intensive training camp. Personalized instruction, individual skills assessments, and exposure to some of their sport's most outstanding athletes and coaches give Sports Ambassadors the confidence to live up to their athletic potential. Warren, who was recommended for the program by former coach Tim Hunter, is excited about the opportunity. "People to People Ambassadors are carefully interviewed and evaluated before their acceptance and I am honored to have been selected," she said. " As an Ambassador, I can earn high school and college credit because of the many educational elements in my program. I am looking forward to meeting athletes from other countries and competing on an international level while gaining a better understanding of Western European history." Quiet and unassuming Nicole Warren has loved sports since childhood. According to her parents, Kyle and Wanda Warren, her first three words as a baby were Mama, Daddy, and ball. Her trophy wall at home tells the story of her dedication to excellence in academics as well as basketball, softball and other sports. Upon her graduation from Castor High School, she expects to pursue a degree qualifying her for a career as a Pharmacist. " In Austria, I will be on a team made up of 16-18 year olds from all over the United States. Interaction with other athletes from around the world will be emphasized in addition to educational activities. Needless to say, I would be thrilled to bring back a gold medal." Nicole said. |