PTPI Blog

5 Minutes with Nichole Taylor

January 30th, 2012
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Name: Nichole Taylor

Title: Global Youth Service Day Project Intern

Start date at PTPI: January 2012

Nichole Taylor

1. Are you named after anyone? 

Not that I know of. But I will tell you all a little secret. My first name is actually Belinda, while my middle name is Nichole. When I was in 4th grade I moved to a new school, and I wanted to start life anew as Nichole Taylor. This ended up backfiring though, because every day when the teacher would call roll, she would call out BELINDA TAYLOR (much louder than anyone else’s name, it seemed) and every day I would exhaust myself by explaining otherwise. Who knew it would be such a burden?!

2. What is your favorite book?

Oh, man. I love, love, love to read so that’s a toughie. I am a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut. I am also a huge fan of Herman Hesse and Camus, which is strange because I am not really an existentialist. I enjoy a good story with dynamic characters, humor, twists, and so on…I am always up for suggestions so if you have any, let me know!

3. What book are you reading at the moment? 

I am currently reading a book by Herman Hesse called Narcissus and Goldmund. The story is about two very unlike characters who become best friends. Narcissus is Goldmund’s professor, and he takes on sort of a mentor role in Goldmund’s life. Herman Hesse is a brilliant writer because his characters always encompass a distinct allegory throughout his novels. I am a huge classic literature nerd!

4. What’s the last movie you watched?

Melancholia, directed by Lars von Trier. With Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard – this is one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a long time. Definitely check out the trailer and see if you’d be interested.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

I would initially choose somewhere in Latin America or Spain. I am trying to become fluent in Spanish and I think the best way for me to accomplish this would be by totally immersing myself in a Spanish-speaking culture.

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org


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Discussion Question 3 for Sarah’s Key

January 26th, 2012
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Question answered by Eileen Purkeypile, Coordinator of Membership Services at PTPI

3. In a story filled with so much grief, what were some positive aspects of Sarah’s Key?

Although the majority of Sarah’s Key is made up of dismal elements, such as war and death, the following are a couple of positive aspects of the story:

Julia’s journey of self-discovery, which was one of the most inspiring elements of Sarah’s Key. Julia is an American who seems eager to “be” a Parisian. Her relationship with her husband is not one of love, but of misplaced passion. She slowly comes to accept her husband’s indirect disrespect for her. The culmination of her identity-loss comes when she decides to undergo an abortion to alleviate her husband’s fears.

At the beginning of the story, Julia appears to be living in a daze without personal conviction. After she learns of Sarah’s tragedy, Julia begins to act upon what she believes, no matter the cost. She decides to keep her baby, and to bring light and justice to Sarah’s life. Sarah’s story encourages Julia to choose life over death, and ultimately live a life she can be proud of.

Another positive component is the freedom experienced by the Tezac family. For years, Édouard carries the burden of knowing that his family contributed to Sarah’s tragedy.  In desperation, Édouard unveils the family secret to Julia. I can just imagine the flow of emotions as he and Julia sit in that car. First, the confession, followed by a desire to keep things secret, and ultimately a desperate search for the truth. Through Julia’s final discovery, the Tezac family as a whole experienced the lift of a heavy burden and a life filled with dignity for the good done for Sarah. 

People to People International’s Global Book Club is a way to connect with your global community. Global Book Club members communicate about valuable, international topics and gain unique insight and understanding of various cultural views in relation to those topics. For more information on People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

The opinions expressed by PTPI staff and other book club members are entirely their own and are not necessarily the views of PTPI or its Officers, Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.


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2011 James & Eunice Doty PTPI/Congressional Award Scholarship Winners

January 25th, 2012
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PTPI offers young people the opportunity to apply for several scholarships each year, either for participation in PTPI programs or in support of study at a college or university. We are pleased to announce the 2011 winners of our James & Eunice Doty PTPI/Congressional Award Scholarship.

The following students were awarded full tuition for participation in PTPI’s Global Youth Forum, an annual conference for young leaders. The scholarship includes all program fees and airfare. See the PTPI website for more details on the scholarship and information on how to apply. Both of these students earned the Congressional Award in 2011.

Zach Oliver

- high school sophomore, member of the soccer team, the student council, the STEM scholars program, and the Model UN program

- has earned the Eagle Scout award from Boy Scouts of America, and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award certificates

- was inspired by the community service he participated in through Boy Scouts to pursue  the Congressional Award and increase his level of service, while at the same time increasing his personal growth and development.

“I would like to better understand all the people that I live with and help try to change their lives. By coexisting and helping the people I interact with, I hope to be a mentor to someone who will do the same, and I will have made a small but large impact on our earth.”

Karsyn Robb

- high school junior (planning to graduate one year early), musician with more than 200 songs written, composed, and performed publicly; All-American Scholar, past People to People Student Ambassador to Australia, State Finalist in the Utah National American Miss competition

- has earned the Congressional Award Bronze Medal, along with the Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates

- enjoys the opportunity to help her community through the Congressional Award program, and feels it has helped her grow as a member of society

“I believe even the smallest efforts to help others can make a huge difference in your community and ultimately the world. I have had the privilege to get to know many different people from all sorts of backgrounds and what I have found is that we all have a common desire to lend a helping hand to each other when we are in need of one. What I would hope to gain from my experience at PTPI’s Global Youth Forum is meeting other students who have the same passion for helping others as I do and create friendships that we will keep.”

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org


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