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Ambassadors of friendship
By STEVE LEE
© St. Petersburg Times, NEW PORT RICHEY -- The People to People Ambassadors program was founded in 1980 to unite student-athletes from around the world in international competitions. The program could not have worked more perfectly for Stephanie Garay and Krystine Canatsey. The youth soccer players from west Pasco will fly from Orlando to Milan, Italy, on Friday to begin a week of sightseeing and soccer that will take the Team USA members to Munich, Germany, for a European Challenge. Both girls, who compete in different age groups, said they are looking forward to the cultural as well as the athletic experience. In fact, Garay, 15, and Canatsey, 12, have become so close that they will request seats together on the plane. They also spent Wednesday afternoon shopping for walkie-talkies so they can keep in touch because team activities will keep them apart at times. "We're really good friends, and we're going to stay friends after this," said Canatsey, a midfielder on the Under-14 USA team who has played for club teams in West Pasco, Tarpon Springs and Pinellas Park. "It feels much better to know I'm going to know someone," said Garay, a defender on the Under-16 squad who was named rookie of the year for Ridgewood's junior varsity team last season. The girls' mothers, Tina Canatsey and Laura Garay, said they couldn't be happier that their daughters are fast friends and will be traveling buddies. "I'm so much more relaxed now," Tina Canatsey said. "The other night, they were on the phone for an hour and a half and they were packing together. It was so sweet." Added Laura Garay: "I feel more relieved that somebody from here is going, too. It's good for both of them." The girls are eager for their trip to begin, not only to test their skills against international players with teammates they have never met, but also for the chance to see other countries. "Not only will it be an educational experience, but it will help me with my soccer," said Garay, who came up through the West Pasco and Hudson programs and played at Bayonet Point. "I'm nervous because I won't know anybody on my actual team," said Canatsey, who plans to try out for the River Ridge Middle School team next season. As for the competition, Canatsey said, "I think (the European players will) be more skilled." Both girls recently completed spring seasons with club teams, but preparation for the People to People program involves more than just soccer ability. Both are honor roll students, which is a requirement. According to both mothers, the trip will cost more than $4,000.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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