Varina Elementary School fifth grader Zareon Pettiford has been selected to participate in the People to People Student Ambassadors Program and will study in Australia for 14 days in July.

Pettiford was nominated by teachers and school guidance counselors, who say that he is a classroom leader and serves as a role model for younger students. In February, he won first place in an oratorical contest sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, in which he recited Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

A member of the safety patrol, Pettiford is also a boy scout and plays football for Varina Athletic Association. In addition, he ran the 200m, 400m, 1500m and 2x4 relay in track and is featured in the AAU book "The Best of the Best Athletes" in track and field for 2011. At Good Shepherd Baptist Church, he sings in the youth choir, is a member of the Men of Iron ministry, and has served as vice president of the junior youth fellowship (JYF).

The People to People program was founded by former President Dwight Eisenhower, and the honorary chairmen are all past presidents. People to People Student Ambassadors Programs offer international educational and travel opportunities to students from grades 5-12. Pettiford will travel as part of a delegation of 11 rising sixth graders and will be the only student from Henrico County Public Schools.