The 2019 Young Ambassadors
The Friends of St. Patrick program consists of eight chapters, in 2019 five chapters sent Young Ambassadors to Northern Ireland. These are their stories.
Alexis Nieman Albany, Chapter
Alexis Nieman is a Communications Major at Pace University in Westchester, NY. and writes for the university newspaper. She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to travel to Downpatrick and learn about the work of the Centre, as well as gaining experience working in media services there.
Callan Dalton Gist
Arizona, Chapter
Callan is a 25 year old licenced representative at State Farm who is working towards her goal of earning a Masters in Business. She has a heart for volunteering and we know she will be an amazing representative of our community to the The Saint Patrick Centre this summer in Northern Ireland. She is looking forward to learning from the people of Northern Ireland about their culture and all they have to offer.
Katherine Walsh
Milwaukee, Chapter
Growing up as a competitive Irish Dancer I have always wanted to learn more about Irish culture and my personal heritage in Northern Ireland. I am currently studying Economics and International Affairs at Marquette University and am looking forward to learning more about the history of Saint Patrick's Country in June!
Lexi
Milwaukee, Chapter
Lexi is a senior at Alverno College with a communications major and minors in global studies and political science. Her interests in world cultures and global and local politics have lead her to experiences in the American Model United Nations, lobbying in Madison and Washington D.C., and in rural Japan for a year-long study abroad, to name a few. She excels at written and spoken communication, loves to volunteer with her school and family, and hopes to use her skills to dutifully serve others through a future career in the Wisconsin government. Lexi is thrilled to join the FOSS-Milwaukee Chapter and hopes to learn about Northern Irish government and politics while also learning about the culture and history of her heritage.
Andres Sanchez
Minnesota Chapter
I work full time within the college ministry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and am completing my degree in Construction Science and Management at Texas State University. I am eager to experience the land, the people, and the culture of Ireland. In particular I am excited to discover the origin of Ireland’s Christian character and Downpatrick, NI. I am very grateful to the Saint Patrick Centre for allowing this experience to happen.
Michael Murray
Toronto Chapter
My name is Michael Murray and I am 20 years old. I am about to finish first year at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. I am enrolled in Humanities and hope to specialize in Celtic Studies next year. I was born in Canada and both my parents are from Dublin—I have a deep affection for Ireland and its people and can’t wait to explore Downpatrick. My career aspiration is to be a story-teller. My hope is that I can express this aspiration through various media—writing, drama and public speaking
"The aim of the Young Ambassador Program is to establish a network of informed and influential individuals throughout North America who can actively represent the northern part of Ireland throughout their lives. Northern Ireland provides an incredibly diverse platform to learn about many social and cultural aspects of contemporary and historical life in Ireland as well as a developing model for community reconciliation which is relevant to many cities in North America. Young Ambassadors will develop a meaningful and on-going relationship with Chapters of the Friends of Saint Patrick, the Saint Patrick Centre and organizations linked to the Program. They will continue to represent them when appropriate throughout the rest of their lives."