A trip of a lifetime

“What I basically had to do was write a 450- to 500-word essay on something that the UN has been involved in recently,” he said.

When he found out he passed the first step, he had to go meet the group in Saskatoon for the second part of the competition.

“I had to go do a five-minute speech on my essay that I wrote. I wrote it on the genocides of Darfur that have been happening recently and are still happening today.”

He came in second. It was enough to guarantee him the all-expenses-paid trip.

Franc’s history teacher, Kelly Klassen, who encouraged him to enter the competition, said it’s a big deal to get chosen.

“A few students have applied, but this is the first year I’ve ever been involved in where someone won,” he said, explaining he’s been getting the letter from the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs every year for the past ten years. He always presents the opportunity to his students.

“There was one other teacher who had one student apply who got to the speak-off that he was a part of and didn’t make it to the top two and that’s as far as I’ve heard of another student making it from our school.”
Franc said he can understand why there have been so few entries.

“When Mr. Klassen was announcing it, everyone was excited about the trip, but as soon as they heard essay, they kind of went ‘aww,’” he said.

“As long as you just be truthful in everything you say and everything you write and include what is in their criteria, it’s actually pretty easy, it’s not too, too hard.”

Franc didn’t have a computer at home when he applied, so he did all the work at school. Now all he has left is to reap the rewards.

“I am very excited about buying my first New York hot dog and buying a shirt that says ‘I love New York,’” he said, with a chuckle.

On his trip he will spend a couple of days at the United Nations as well as going to the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway show and taking in Independence Day Celebrations.

Klassen said he wasn’t surprised when he found out Franc won.

“I just know the type of person he is. He is an outgoing guy, he is friendly and he is not afraid of challenged. He is a likeable guy and that all plays a part,” he said, adding he is a little bit jealous of the trip.

klavoie@panow.com

by Kellah Lavoie

A trip of a lifetime

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