Thank you for sponsoring me as a delegate on the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth tour. Without your generous funding, I would have missed out on one of the most fulfilling trips of my lifetime. This trip has not only allowed me to visit places that I might not ever get a chance to see but it has given me the chance to learn about places and things that I have never given a second thought about. Most notably, being able to actually sit in a conference room at the United Nations and listen to guest speakers gave me such an insight to what it is the United Nations really does on a daily basis. Visiting the Canadian parliament building was also another experience that not many students are able to have.

Overall, I must say that while one might be able to visit all the places I was fortunate to visit on this pilgrimage (and might be able to do all the things that we were lucky enough to do); one cannot go through the same experience. The diverse group of delegates, the unique speech contest, and the caring tour leaders made my trip so enjoyable. From our first dinner in Portland to the final departure in Phoenix I saw the tour bus grow closer and stronger together. I’m sure many friendships were created and even many more pen pals were formed. I myself have made friends that I plan to keep in contact with from areas around Oregon to as far away as Switzerland. Being with such a varied group of teenagers has made me realize a lot about myself and what I want to do with the rest of my life. After hearing about the wonderful activities that other students are involved in and the other contests they have competed in has made me want to try even harder in school and has made me value education even more. It is hard for me to express my gratitude in words, but I will just end with "Thank you".