Bishop Verot student to visit Russia
Sophomore's trip to come this summer
By Christina Cepero
ccepero@news-press.com
Originally posted on March 14, 2006

Sixteen-year-old John Hasak's summer plans include visiting the Kremlin, meeting members of the Russian Legislative Assembly and taking in a show at the Bolshoi Theater.

The Cape Coral teenager will immerse himself in Russia as one of 100 youths from around the world selected by LeadAmerica to participate in the 2006 World Youth Leadership Conference June 24 to July 9. LeadAmerica offers leadership programs in various areas and places for American high school students.

John, a sophomore at Bishop Verot High School, was destined to be a world traveler.

"When he was 2, we would be in the car going on a trip and he would look at the map," said his mother, Silvia Hasak.

He's also been touring college campuses his whole life.

"We've made it a point whenever we go on vacation, whenever we take a trip, that we visit whatever university or college is in the area," Silvia said.

This summer, he'll be in Russia visiting St. Petersburg University.

"I've kind of enjoyed seeing history in the world," John said. "When I was little I like imagined going there — Russia was definitely one of the places I wanted to go.

"I would actually like to get more involved in Russian history."

He'll have the opportunity to explore the Hermitage Museum and St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

He'll be able to take advantage of his days in Russia because it'll be near the summer solstice — June 21 — the longest day of the year.

"They're studying an emerging culture," Silvia said. "A country that is rebuilding itself."

He will travel to Pushkin to see the 18th-century luxurious summer palace of Catherine the Great, the first empress of Russia.

He will stay with a family for a couple of days in Moscow, where he will walk the Kremlin and Red Square and watch a classical performance at the Bolshoi Theater.

"He'll have such a global view," Silvia said.

It's not John's first time studying outside the country. Last summer, he experienced a "totally fun" three weeks in England with about 600 other American students in the Cambridge College Programme.

He took British culture, World War II history and chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

He experienced history in the making, arriving days after London was proclaimed the site for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games site July 6 and hit with bombs on three trains and a bus July 7.

He traveled on the weekends to London, Stonehenge, Bath, medieval Warwick Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon— Shakespeare's birthplace.

And it got John looking forward to going to college.

"He came home all enthusiastic about college. Living in the dorm, being on his own," his mother said. "He got a taste of it."

He'll get another taste this summer three days after he returns from Russia.

He plans to attend a 10-day Congressional Student Leadership Conference on medicine and health care at Georgetown University, also sponsored by LeadAmerica.

It includes meeting healthcare professionals and caring for a patient via a medical simulation, using diagnostic techniques and discussing available treatment options.

"I would definitely love to do something medical," said John, whose favorite subjects are math, science and history.

He also plays football at Bishop Verot.

"John is a very quality young man," said his coach, Phil Dorn.

"The one thing that sticks out about him is he's always constantly trying to improve himself day by day."

What's in store for John next summer?

Perhaps an internship. Possibly Cambridge again. Or maybe China.

Further information on LeadAmerica and the NJLC can be found at www.lead-america.org or by calling 1.866.FYI.LEAD (394.5323).

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