ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 30, 2018) – The February 15 deadline for St. Petersburg high school juniors to apply for the city of St. Petersburg’s Student Ambassador program is approaching. Student Ambassadors represent the city during an annual exchange visit to Takamatsu, Japan, each summer and participate in other cultural activities throughout the year. Completed applications must be received by 3 p.m., Thursday, February 15, at the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society office, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N., in St. Petersburg.
Prospective Student Ambassador applicants must reside in St. Petersburg and be currently enrolled as a high school junior; all eligible students are encouraged to apply. An original essay, class photo, high school transcript listing honors and activities, two reference letters, including one from a school faculty member, and two letters of introduction to the prospective host family, one written by the student and one from their parents, must be submitted along with the application. Completed applications must be received by SPIFFS, either by mail to St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society Inc., Attention: Lotta Baumann, 330 Fifth Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or hand-delivered to St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc., 559 Mirror Lake Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Since becoming a Sister City in 1961, St. Petersburg Student Ambassadors have experienced Japanese culture while staying with a Takamatsu host family, attending high school classes, sightseeing, and sharing stories about culture in the United States. The exchange program has encouraged former Ambassadors to expand their love for culture through international relations, international business or Japanese studies in college. For more information on the Student Ambassador program and an application, visit www.stpete.org/irc or contact Lotta Baumann at SPIFFS, 727-552-1896, or folkfair@ij.net.