A Penn State University earth sciences graduate and business leader, Will Bostwick hopes to blend his knowledge with his contacts as a Peace Corps missionary in Armenia
Kiwanians told of teacher’s plans to join Peace Corps
05/24/2004
SHAMOKIN — At a recent regular meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Shamokin, Will Bostwick, science instructor at Northwestern Academy, presented a program to Kiwanians about his positive experiences working with youth and his goals to understanding youth in Armenia. A Penn State University earth sciences graduate and business leader, Bostwick hopes to blend his knowledge with his contacts as a Peace Corps missionary.
The Peace Corps was established during the Kennedy administration in 1961 to promote world peace. To date, there have been 170,000 trainees serving 137 countries, with 7,533 current volunteers. There is an operating budget of $308 million for 2004.
Bostwick expects to spend 30 months in Armenia, which is in the Caucasus region of the Middle East. His tour will start at Yurevan, the Armenian capital, which is at the base of Mount Ararat. Although there is some ethnic diversity in Armenia, it is predominately Christian.
This year, there will be a celebration of 1700 years in their faith, which predates Rome. One cathedral which has withstood battles and invasions over time (since the 4th century), Etchmiadzin, literally means “the only begotten.”
Bostwick, a Trevorton resident, closed his presentation with his challenge of teaching students in Armenia who traditionally have had a high literacy rate of 98 percent. Kiwanians look forward to seeing Bostwick when he returns.
©The News Item 2004
