Kidsday: Touring Washington with People to People

When I saw the envelope that said I was accepted to participate in People to People Ambassador Programs, I was very happy because I knew I would be able to learn more about America. When I got to the room I was staying at in Washington, D.C., I met my roommate, Ryan. The first thing we did was unpack our bags, then we went to bed so we would be ready for our big day. When we woke up, we were surprised we would be seeing the Iwo Jima monument, Arlington National Cemetery and so much more.

Over the course of our week, I was able to see the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the World War II memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the White House. The experience allowed me to learn a great deal about our country, World War II and the leaders of America, and to make new friends from all around the country.

The People to People program also can send you to different places around the world, and get you involved with others in a way you never thought was possible. If you want to find out more, visit the website peopletopeople.com.

When our car flipped over

One day my family was coming home from our house in upstate New York. In the car with me was my brother Joey, my grandparents Bob and Nancy and our dog, Missy. We were on our way back to Hampton Bays. But our peaceful journey soon changed. We were involved in a car accident, and because we had to swerve out of the way very quickly, our car flipped over.

I was able to crawl out of the car. I made sure I was OK, then I went back to help get the others out. After I moved them all safely from the car, I called the police to come. As soon as I called the police, I went back to the car again to try to shut off the engine before it caught fire. Lucky for us, the car did not catch on fire, but there was so much damage, the car was totaled.

The car did not make it, but my brother and my grandparents are all OK. We can always get a new car, but I could never replace my family.

My grandmother called me her young hero.

- Will Giglio, Kidsday Reporter

CLASS OF THJE WEEK: Danielle Caccavo's sixth-grade class, OUR LADY OF THE HAMPTONS REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Southampton