News : Vinton girl to tour western Canada as People to People Ambassador

Kay Fett is selling her paintings to raise funds for a People to People Ambassadors Canada journey.

Eleven-year-old Kay Fett of Vinton is selling some of her paintings as she continues to raise money for her People to People Ambassadors Wonders of the Canadian West journey.

Along with 40 other Iowa fifth- and sixth-graders, Kay will visit Vancouver Island, the Canadian Rockies and Calgary. The students will stay in teepees, attend tribal meetings, and see many other culturally unique attractions.

After receiving her invitation in the mail, Kate had to complete an interview process and receive letters of recommendation from her educators.

“She had references from her teacher, principal and art teacher,” said Kay's mom, Tammy.

One of the things Kay looks forward to most is bringing home water from a glacier.

To help raise money for the trip, Kay has begun selling some of her paintings. She is a new artist who discovered her love of painting in the past year. She is one of several artists whose work is being displayed and offered for sale at the downtown art gallery just a short walk from her mom's New Beginnings salon. Kate's favorite work so far is a canvass that was inspired by what she saw while wiping her brushes on paper towels.

Kay and the other students attend five meeting each month as they prepare for this summer's adventure.

“People to People Ambassadors go where the average tourist can't go,” says Tammy. “They meet with government officials, visit schools and attend community dinners.”

Participants will ride a ferry to Vancouver Island for a traditional Elizabethan tea, hunt for killer whales in the Straits of Georgia, meet with an archaeologist, visit adventure parks and other activities during the nearly two-week journey.

For more information, contact Tammy Fett at Tammyfett44@gmail.com or 319-721-4380.