CAPE YOUTH TO SPEAK TO BULGARIAN PUPILS

The government of Bulgaria has invited 12-year-old Nicholas Sterrett to speak to Bulgarian students about American education and teenagers.

A student at L.J. Schultz School, Sterrett bases his expertise almost solely on first-hand experience.

Nicholas will accompany his father, Jack Sterrett, and Buz Sutherland. Sterrett, marketing professor at Southeast Missouri State University, and Sutherland, director of the university's Small Business Development Center, will be talking with Bulgarian business leaders about free enterprise.

They leave Jan. 21 and will return Feb. 7. The youngster learned he was going about a week ago.

Jack Sterrett explained: "Originally I had planned to take Nicholas for the cultural experience. When I inquired about the arrangements for Nick, the request came back to me to see if he would be interested in addressing the schools."

Nicholas decided the best way to share information about his school and home town is through a video, especially considering he doesn't speak Bulgarian. So he has been videotaping daily activities at school and at home.

"I wanted to show people us changing classes, in gym class, in art class," Nicholas said. "I want to show what school is like during the day; it's probably a lot different."

He also has videotaped his home and room and friends.

Preparing to speak to hundreds of strangers in another county doesn't have young Nicholas rattled. "I'm not nervous," he said. "I'm just going to tell them about myself and what we do here."

The Sterretts have rounded up an assortment of mementos to give to the Bulgarians they meet. They have collected T-shirts, hats and other items with Cape Girardeau and company logos.

"We are also taking a gross of American flags and Missouri flags," Jack Sterrett said. "I will be carrying company portfolios with me and other information about Southeast Missouri to share with them also."

The Bulgarians, under communistic rule until two and one-half years ago, are hungry to learn about capitalism, Sterrett said.

"They truly have to be entrepreneurs and they want to learn basic business practices," he said.

Sterrett and Sutherland will present a five-day seminar for the business leaders.

An added bonus for Nicholas, his father said, is a trip through Paris and a visit to EuroDisney before they return home.

The Sterretts said anyone with information, mementos or other items to send to Bulgaria should contact them.