Islander Amanda Ohmert, 12, will travel to Haarlem, Holland, in 10 days to compete in the elite Youth Friendship Games for athletes ages 11 to 19, an international event sponsored by People to People Sports Ambassador Programs.

She’s been chosen to swim in the competitive event because of her high skill level as well as the excellent recommendations she received from mentors in her life — Bruce Jackson, her swim coach at Vashon Aquatic Club, Tina Parrish, her Sunday School teacher at Vashon Methodist Church, and Tim Heryford, her volleyball coach at McMurray Middle School.

Ohmert learned to swim in the Gold Beach pool at age 2, joined the Vashon Aquatic Club team at 5 and won her first gold medal at 6.

This will be her first trip to Europe; she said she’s very excited.

“My favorite stroke is butterfly,” she said. “My best is the backstroke and freestyle.”

She’s looking forward to a possible visit to the Anne Frank Museum in Holland, she said.

When Ohmert returns, she will be racing in the Pacific Northwest Swimming Championships, held July 31 to Aug. 3. She is ranked 16th in the 50-meter backstroke, of all 11- and 12-year-old girls in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.