By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
One international competition will take two Manville High School students “down under” to compete against some of the best athletes in three countries, and all they are asking is for a little financial help to get them there.
Senior Billy Demeter, 19, and Junior Courtney Brisebois, 16, have been chosen by the International Sports Specialists, Inc., (ISSI) to participate in the annual Down Under Sports June 30 through July 11. The competition takes students from across the United States, Australia and New Zealand to participate in different sporting events, including swimming, volleyball, wrestling and basketball.
”It is a competition like a Junior Olympics,” Billy said.
Both Courtney and Billy will be competing in track and field events during the about three-day competition in Australia.
”I love doing track, and I’ve never been out of the country,” said Billy, who will compete in the long jump and triple jump, and has been on the high school track team for three years. “To do my favorite sport anywhere is awesome. Australia makes it even better.”
For Courtney, who has also never been out of the country, this is an exciting opportunity to go somewhere new.
”I am looking forward to the experience and to get out of this country,” Courtney, who is competing in the 100- and 200-meter races, and has also been on the track team for three years, said. “And I will get to compete against people from all over the United States, and see where I stand.”
The about 11-day trip which includes seven days in Australia for competing, practices and sightseeing, and about four days in Hawaii for sightseeing does come at a price of $5,000, so Courtney and Billy are doing what they can to raise funds through their own upcoming fundraisers.
”We are doing what it takes to get there,” Courtney said. “It’s an accomplishment.”
Courtney’s first fundraiser will be held Saturday at Drewby’s Grill Pub, on South Main Street, from opening to closing. She said the owner has promised that 10 percent of the day’s earnings will be given to her for the cost of the trip.
”It’s a local place, and not far for everyone to travel,” she said. “And Drewby’s is one of my favorite places to eat.”
According to Courtney, she will be getting funds no matter what, but guests are welcome to say that they have come to the pub to support her cause.
”That way I can see how many people come for me,” she said.
Aside from this fundraiser, Courtney said she has received donations of funds from friends and family. She said she does not anticipate holding another fundraiser in the future, but will if she needs to raise additional money for the trip.
”No matter what, this fundraiser helps with a good cut of money,” she said. “And my family will give the rest.”
For Billy, his fundraiser at Applebee’s, on Route 206 in Hillsborough, April 21 will require people to explain that they are at the restaurant in support of his cause. The fundraiser will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 10 percent of individual bills will be given to him.
According to Billy, guests can either show a copy of his flier announcing the fundraiser or tell the waiter they are eating there in support of his trip, and the money will be donated.
”I used to work there, and they were kind enough to hold the fundraiser,” he said. He said he had a similar fundraiser in March and was able to raise some additional funds for the trip.
”Whatever money I don’t get, I will put forward, or my (family) will help,” he said.
No matter how much money they receive, Courtney and Billy said they are looking forward to the competition and are proud to have been chosen. They said they both received letters inviting them to participate.
According to the Web site for the competition, students can be nominated by their high school coaches, or the ISSI state coach or selection committee.
”(The ISSI) sent the letter out based on our skills,” Billy said. He said he and Courtney will be traveling to Australia with the other students chosen from New Jersey.
Courtney said she is glad to be traveling with another Manville High School student, but knows there will be so many new people to meet while she is there.
”It is a good experience to meet new people,” she said.

