Ayla’s Ambassadors Europe music trip

     Ayla, a Senior at Fargo North High School, was recently selected to be a Northern Ambassador of Music in performance tour of Europe during the summer of 2019! She was nominated by her band teacher due to her accomplishments, leadership, character  and very hard work in school.

     Participation in this tour is by nomination ONLY, so this is QUITE the honor... as she will be representing the State Of North Dakota, as well as the USA during this trip! The main tour is a 16 day trip through 7 countries in Europe & all students will be performing a concert in several of these countries & she has the option to earn college credit for this! (***EXCITING NEWS: see the updates for the new additional country that was added to the end of the trip that would make the total trip 20 days and 8 countries!!!!)

     Ayla is a talented young lady. She has performed in the James D. Ployhar Honor Band in 2017, The Fargo North Symphony Orchestra twice 2017 & 2018, the Fargo North Orchestra Pit for the "Sound Of Music" performances in the fall of 2016, she has gotten The Regional star rating twice (2015 & 2016) for her solos and once for her Ensemble group in 2016 at the North Dakota Regional Music Contest, she was awarded Outstanding Performance at the 2015 young Musician’s Festival for her performance of “My Heart Will Go On” from the film, “Titanic”.

     She was also the recipient of the Kris Knudson Memorial Scholarship in 2014 which helped fund her time at the International Music Camp for one week on the ND - Canada border. She has attended the International Music Camp for several years now earning much of the money to pay for each time all on her own over each summer.

     Ayla also takes private lessons from Deb Harris during the school year at Concordia College. Ayla is constantly being pushed to expand and hone her playing ability through the private lessons. Because of her love for music, and the WONDERFUL music teachers & Conductors she has sat under, she understands the value of education & plans to double major in Music (musical performance & teaching) and minor in Theater Arts (performance) at Concordia College located in Moorhead, MN in the fall of 2020. She has hopes of being a professional musician in film orchestras, voice actress and also of being a Music Teacher. 

     Ayla is a hard worker and is also involved in after school /community activities as well, which help make her a well rounded individual. She participates in Athletics (& has lettered in Track) via Track & Field for Fargo North High, works Part Time at Hornbacher’s Grocery store & keeps her grades up as an Honor Roll Student. She is actively involved in her local church, and she  leads a study group with her friends in the mornings before school starts. She is  involved in many extra curricular clubs  at school, which she is or is in the process of lettering in: Art Club, Thespian Society, Pep Band, Band, History Club, & Writers Club.

     Any single parent knows how hard it is to raise a teenager when its just the one parent. The financial struggles of raising a teenager right now aren’t easy when there is TWO parents working, but it’s even more difficult when there is only one parent working to pay ALL the bills. Ayla is from a low-income, single parent family & her Mom wants to send her on this amazing opportunity. However, Ayla’s Mom doesn't have enough funds to do so. She wants her daughter to be able to reach & dream beyond her circumstances! She knows her daughter has the talent, determination, dedication and the confidence to go far! All she needs is some financial help and encouragement!

     Ayla graduates from High school in June 2019, and a month later has her 18th birthday (that happens 4 days before they leave for this trip)! Actually Her birthday falls on the first day of the required 4 day Pre-Trip Music Camp she will be at prior to leaving! Not too many people can say they graduate, turn 18 and started the adventure of a lifetime touring Europe and playing in concerts there for 20 days, all within a month!!!

BUT..... to go on this Once in a lifetime trip that she was nominated and selected for, she needs YOUR help to do this!
                                                                                                  Will YOU help  her raise the funds???

      Let’s help this talented, hard working young lady achieve something many only dream about! And give her an 18th birthday gift that she will NEVER EVER forget from a world wide community we are all a part of!!!!!

The $9,000 goal covers the following: 
     - 4 day pre-trip camp (plus accommodations & meals)               - transportation to Minneapolis Airport from Fargo, ND         
     - passport                                                                                                               - round trip airfare 
     - 2 tour packages (totaling 20 days in Europe)  via Voyageurs International Travel Agency                                            
     - tourist class lodging  in Europe  for 20 days                                    - 3 meals & beverages /day (for 20 days in Europe) 
     - complete insurance package                                                                    - transportation of luggage + musical instruments
     - all sight seeing costs (admission, tickets, tour guides, transportation & entrance fees)    
     - any increase in tour packages costs if not paid in full by November 15, 2018.   
     

Thanks for your donations & support!

Every little bit helps!

~Heather Gerlitz (Ayla’s Aunt) & Sarah Gerlitz-Mondry (Ayla’s Mom)