Mercer Island High School junior, Dan Simons, is enjoying a rare experience. Last spring he was selected as a finalist in the Seafair Ambassador Program sponsored by the Seafair Foundation, which awarded a college scholarship and will send him to Seattle’s sister city in Japan. Simons focused on his extensive community service in his application, specifically his history with Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. His multi-media presentation scored him a spot as one of the 12 semi-finalists and a final interview by a five-person panel selected the six ambassadors.

The ambassadors have been busy with Seafair activities including the Milk Carton Derby, the Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon and are set to carry the lead banner in the Torchlight Parade which takes place in Seattle on July 31. The fun doesn’t end there as they are scheduled for breakfast with the Blue Angels, will set up the Hydroplane races and have front row seats for the Boeing Air Show.

The Seafair Ambassador Program also paired Simons with a business leader who will mentor him on how to best achieve his education and career goals. Each of the ambassadors will host an exchange student from Japan in September and then in November, Simons and the other ambassadors will travel to Kobe, Japan for a week-long visit with a host family. The year-long appointment will end in February of 2011.