Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

When Anthony Carlson begins his sophomore year this fall, he will have quite a story to share about how he spent his summer vacation.

From the end of June until early July, Carlson will be in Austria, taking part in the People to People Sports Ambassador Games.

Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower more than 50 years ago, the People to People Sports Ambassadors Program is designed to be both an athletic and educational travel experience, with a goal of cultivating personal growth and development.

And according to their website, all of this is done, “while providing leadership life lessons through sport.”

Before being selected, Carlson had never heard of the Ambassador Games, and wasn’t even aware that he was being nominated by three people from Stars & Strikes Entertainment Center in Wyoming.

So when a letter arrived this winter, Anthony and his parents, Peter and Karla, alternated between excitement and doubt. Initially, Peter thought it was a joke.

“I said, ‘You know, you guys are getting way too far ahead of yourselves,” he says about his wife and son’s growing enthusiasm.

But as he continued to research the program, Peter found that it was indeed legitimate. His son had been chosen to represent his country.

“Was it a surprise? Oh, an extreme surprise,” Peter says.

Anthony couldn’t agree more with the shock value, but as he’s learned more about the games, he believes he had two things going for him.

“What I think is, 75 percent [of the selection process] is being a good person, and 25 percent is being a good bowler.”

Another perk to being chosen is that Anthony can earn high school and college credit. To actually get to Vienna, Anthony has been seeking financial sponsors from local banks, businesses and individuals. On Saturday, May 12, the Carlsons will be hosting a pancake breakfast, where for $5, people from the Forest Lake community can help the 9th-grader from Century Junior High School make the trip.

Carlson started bowling just three years ago. While Peter had hoped Anthony would find some activity worth pursuing, this idea was about as surprising as that first letter from People to People.

“Out of the blue, this came out — bowling,” he says with a smile. “He’s got a passion for it, and I said, ‘Okay, here we go.’”

With only a few years of experience, Anthony already bowls in the 160s to 170s, and has even crept into the 200s.

“Just something about it connects and it’s like, ‘Hey, I really like this,’” Anthony says.

In a couple of months, Anthony will take his character and skills, and connect with 1300 other young men and women from around the world, who are competing in baseball, basketball, bowling, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.

What is he looking forward to most?

“To meet new friends and learn more responsibility about myself,” he shares. “And just learn about myself.”

Peter jokes that he and Karla have never been outside of the country, but here’s his son, heading off to Europe.

“He’s a good kid,” he says. “He’s an ambassador.”

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