“I don’t really know what to expect, but it is super exciting to be going,” Kirsty said. 

The girls are part of a 25-strong delegation from Bega that will visit sister city Littleton, Colorado, next month.

Kirsty was chosen from 25 applicants from high schools around the Valley who were narrowed down to six finalists in February. 

The Year 11 Lumen Christi Catholic College student will be speaking to schools in Littleton area about life in Bega Valley and on her return will speak to her classmates about her experiences.

Also brushing up on her speeches in preparation for the August 9 trip is Leayra Thornton. 

The 25-year-old chef has had almost a year to prepare after winning the ambassador’s spot last August. 

Studying a certificate IV in Hospitality at TAFE Illawarra’s Bega Campus, she was nominated by head of hospitality and tourism Deidre Jory. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to look at how chefs undertake their training in the US, and I can bring all this knowledge back to the TAFE,” Leayra said. 

Currently working in the kitchen at the Commercial Hotel in Bega, Leayra not only balances this with her study but she is also a mum to two young children. 

Leayra admits she’ll miss her family but says this is an opportunity “too good to miss”. 

Like other delegates, Leayra will be staying with host families in Littleton during the trip.

President of the Bega-Littleton Citizens Exchange Barbara Westmacott has praised both Leayra and Kirsty as “fine young women” and believes they will be able to bring a lot to the community in Bega following their trip. 

For further information on the Bega-Littleton Citizens Exchange contact Barbara Westmacott on 6492 1395.