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2005 Citrus County Fair

Boy works for role as student ambassador

Daniel McLaughlin, 12, is collecting cans and making sun-catchers to raise money to represent America in distant lands.

By MARY ANN KOSLASKY
Published March 18, 2005

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the People to People program, he sought to promote world peace one person at a time. He felt the one-on-one contact of ordinary, everyday people with their counterparts in other countries could do more to promote peace than the political machinations of diplomats and other government people.

But he probably never envisioned someone quite like Hernando resident Daniel McLaughlin.

A member of Ease's Rough Riders 4-H Club, Daniel, 12, is bright, boisterous and bubbles with enthusiasm and optimism. He will represent the face of American youth to the people of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as a People to People Student Ambassador.

That Daniel seems unable to sit still might appear to pose a problem, since he'll be sitting for at least 10 hours - one way - on planes traveling from Florida to Down Under. Not to worry: Dan already is a seasoned traveler, having visited several of the 48 contiguous states and Hawaii.

That leaves only one other problem for Daniel to deal with: raising more than $6,000 to pay for tuition, transportation, housing, meals and other special events during the 19 days he'll be sharing America with the Australian Aborigines, with the New Zealand homestay family, and with the members of a Maori village.

With a May 1 deadline drawing near, Daniel's eternally optimistic outlook sees this not as a problem, but a challenge - one he believes he can overcome.

And why not? His stint in 4-H has taught him that patience, perseverance and preparation pay off.

For instance, what do you do with a chicken named Priscilla that doesn't want to be handled when you show it at the county fair? Why, you lay it on its back, of course.

"It's the funniest chicken," said Daniel, as he explained that Priscilla prefers to be babied and will happily let you do just about anything . . . as long as she's upside down.

Upside down or right side up, Daniel earned a blue ribbon, a best of category trophy, a blue ribbon for showmanship, a plaque for showmanship and a plaque for the best record book about Priscilla at the 2004 Citrus County Fair.

Keeping a record book on raising Priscilla was good practice for Daniel. Participants in the Student Ambassador program will keep journals of their travels. One thing they'll be asked to do is compare and contrast different areas and cultures. He also must write an essay on his community and describe "how we're different, but all very similar."

And if talking is important, just try to keep Daniel quiet!

"As a Student Ambassador, our voice is stronger than just being a tourist," said Daniel. "We're almost like the secretary of state traveling to the different countries. Our job is to represent the United States in a good way (and show them) what the American people are truly like - not just the extreme things they see on TV."

During his time abroad Daniel will spend a day in school at each of his destinations. In New Zealand there will be a short homestay with a typical family. The group will also spend 24 hours in a Maori village.

"This is an honor," explained his mother, Debbie. "The Maori don't usually invite outsiders to come in."

Daniel also will spend a day with the Aboriginal people in Australia.

His speaking abilities have been honed by 4-H. Daniel has participated in the Tropicana 4-H Speech contest and recently used his speaking and demonstration talents during 4-H County Events. He won a blue ribbon and qualified to represent Citrus County at District Events on May 7 by demonstrating the making of a stained glass suncatcher. Appropriately, it was the four-leaf clover logo of 4-H.

And that's how Daniel hopes to raise the money for his trip, which begins in late June. His family owns D&A Stained Glass Creations at 6954 U.S. 41 N, where the highway intersects with County Road 491. He plans to create and sell enough stained glass sun-catchers, handmade glass beads known as lampwork beads, candle holders, coasters and other small items to raise the needed funds.

He was adamant that people know "everything is made from scratch."

He showed a reporter the colorful glass rods that will be morphed into the brilliantly colored beads many jewelry artists use in their work. He uses blowtorches, kilns and glass cutters to construct his colorful creations. If you want something special, just ask.

"If I can sell 1,000 sun-catchers at $6 each, I'll have my money for the trip," Daniel said. Other items are priced appropriately for their size or complexity. Daniel already has $1,000 banked for his adventure.

To be on the safe side, Daniel is also collecting aluminum cans for recycling and selling his own creation: "soap-to-go," tiny soaps that can be carried in a pocket or purse in a small plastic bag. And a special account has been opened at AmSouth Bank in the name of Daniel R. McLaughlin for donations, which can be made at any branch.

Although the People to People program is not a part of 4-H, being in 4-H has given him a solid foundation for his trip.

"4-H has given me an opportunity to do things I've never done before," said Daniel.

For information on purchasing Daniel's crafts or donating aluminum cans, call (352) 465-0834, or stop by the shop most weekdays after 10 a.m.

[Last modified March 18, 2005, 00:42:17]