Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

People to People ambassador

	Contributed photo Nicole Salerno of St. Peter’s Regional School of Liberty. (Click for larger image)

Nicole Salerno of Fallsburg is about to undertake a unique mission. On July 5, she and approximately thirty students and five adults will head to Australia as ambassadors in the People to People program.

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower created People to People in 1956. Its mission is to further world peace by establishing personal connections between people of different cultures and countries. To participate in this program, a person must first be recommended by a confidential source; given Salerno’s involvement in Girl Scouts, KidsCirque, gymnastics, ballet, soccer and softball, it could have come from anywhere.

Is she talented? You bet, but usually the first thing people notice about Salerno is her lack of hair. She has a rare condition called Alopecia Universalis, which causes her to lose her hair. “It doesn’t harm me in any way. I am otherwise perfectly healthy,” she said. Stated in this matter- of-fact way, the conversation about the subject is usually put to rest.

Sharing this condition with several million people across the globe, she sees her ambassadorial role not only as a representative of her country, but also as a member of the “Alopecians,” a nickname people with the condition give themselves.

Salerno’s excitement brims with the impending trip to the Great Barrier Reef, hot air ballooning, crocodile hunting and most importantly, a chance to learn about people from another culture. “This trip will give me an opportunity to learn what I can do to promote world peace, something that has never been more important than right now at this time of possible war. We need to understand people of other countries better and help them understand us as well.” These words were part of an essay that enabled the seventh grader to win a $750 scholarship to help defray the $5,000 cost. She and her family have raised about half of that amount to date.

“One life goal is to put my foot in every ocean,” Salerno said. So far, she’s been in the Atlantic, and now the Pacific awaits her.

Testing local waters, Salerno spent eight years in Monticello gymnastics. These days, her passion is KidsCirque. “I started three years ago. I like the fact I am using my whole body. KidsCirque allows me to be myself,” she said. Her performance in the recent show exuded flair and personality.

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Salerno demonstrates her balance and flair at a recent KidsCirque performance in Monticello. (Click for larger image)

Prior to this year, Salerno studied tap and modern dance at Main Street Dance in Liberty, NY with Sherma Alexander. She now studies ballet with Joan Pletter. In the best of all possible worlds, she would love to do both. She is far from shy, which hopefully will lead her to a career as a lawyer and/or actress. “In either one, you have to be a performer,” she said.

Raised in Liberty, she still spends much of her time there. “It feels like one big family. I hope to bring that small town perspective with me to Australia,” she said.

Her immediate family consists of her mother, Cherise, and her father, Nicholas, her sister Sarah, who is eight, and her two older brothers, Nick and Mikey, who are both in their twenties and making their way in their own careers.

If you would like to help Nicole in her mission for world peace, you can send a check to “People to People,” c/o Nicole Salerno, P.O. Box 28, Liberty, NY 12754.

This week’s youth in focus is a dancing, dynamic diplomat.