Kristina Nelson, a soccer player and student at Mt. Baker Middle School, has been accepted into the People to People Sports Ambassador program.

Nelson will train for 10 days in Vienna, Austria, this summer before competing as part of the Youth Friendship Games. As part of the program, she will explore Vienna with teammates throughout the United States.

In addition to building athletic skills, Nelson can earn academic credit while getting to know the people, culture and history of the places visited. She will take part in a variety of activities, such as experiencing the heights of Viennese culture at Schonbrunn Palace and the depths of Nazi atrocities at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. She also will get to try her hand at the Austrian sport of lattischiassn.

Acceptance into the program is an honor. The international competition and education program was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.

After being invited to apply, Nelson submitted references and participated in a successful interview with program coaches and leaders. Before departing she will attend orientation meetings and a local coordinator and coaches to prepare for the journey.

She will be met overseas and accompanied by a team of experienced coaches and teacher-leaders. The athletic delegation will be escorted by a local delegation manager who coordinates the cultural and recreational excursions and is very familiar with local customs.

A spaghetti dinner (donations accepted) and silent auction will be held April 11 to help raise tuition for Nelson at the Auburn School District Bus Barn, 615 15th St., from 5-7 p.m. Near & Far Events, Inc., is sponsoring the event.

Silent action forms will be on display with auction forms from 6:30 p.m. Auction winners will be contacted and delivery arranged on April 13. Included auction items local business services, donated products and various gift baskets.