Erin, racing toward Ireland, needs assist to get there

The 12-year-old parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany will soon add ambassador to her list of accomplishments.

Nominated by an anonymous source, Erin was selected to represent the United States as a People to People Sports Ambassador in Ireland this summer. The Ambassadors program was founded by President Dwight Eisenhower to develop goodwill between countries.

Bridges

Erin will participate in the Limerick Basketball Classic in July. Her trip will include touring Ireland.

"I'm looking forward to exploring my heritage," Erin said. "I'm half-Irish. I also hope to improve as a basketball player."

'Cool' honor

Erin hopes that through her participation she can help dispel some myths about American youth.

"I want people to know that kids can do good things," she said. "Teens get ridiculed a lot, but I know a lot of teens that are helping the community. We aren't just people who go on killing rages. We do good things, too."

Community-minded

Mother and daughter brainstormed ways to make a difference. Erin received permission from Albany City Schools officials to raise money for the Albany Medical Center Children's Cancer Fund in the name of her classmates.

Erin recruited fellow students, teachers and parents to help with the effort. They hosted a dance and a raffle that raised $1,506. All of this was kept a secret from the two sixth-graders with cancer until a school assembly when the check was presented to Albany Med.

In addition to that effort, Erin has worked on projects at Blessed Sacrament, helps out at a summer basketball camp, and participates in school volunteer activities, including planning, organizing and running a school store, and teaching math to disadvantaged elementary students.

Keeping busy

"I can fit it all in," she said. "I'm used to doing a lot of things. It was just the way I was raised."

But she couldn't do it with out her parent's help, she said, adding: "They're really good supporters of me. My parents are showing me the way."

Erin's other role model is Rebecca Lobo, forward for the New York Liberty, a Women's National Basketball Association team. "She's an inspiration to me," Erin said. "I'd like to get as good as her."

At times, Erin finds herself turning to prayer during tense moments of basketball games. "I'll say 'Please make this.' And it usually works," she said.

What next?

Currently, she is taking honors classes and maintaining a 92 average. Her favorite subjects are math and science. She has received academic awards in science, Spanish, Latin, art and music.

She will be able to receive school credit for her participation in the People to People program.

"Every sports event we promote places a strong emphasis on providing each team member with an educational experience," Mr. Ueberroth said. "Student athletes enrich their education through learning in the global classroom, and develop a new sense of personal responsibility and maturity while being challenged as athletes and leaders."

(In order to participate in the People to People Sports Ambassador Program, Erin must raise $6,500 by May 1. According to Mrs. LaBarge, they have raised just under half. Anyone interested in assisting Erin may send donations to the Erin LaBarge People to People Fund, SEFCU Business Development, PO Box 12189, Albany, NY 12212-2189; attention: Virginia Ruggiero.)

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