With one week to go, a Bijou Elementary School teacher wants to light a fire under her students to nominate South Lake Tahoe torchbearers for the 2002 Olympics.

The theme is “Light the Fire Within.”

Tamara Allen, who teaches fifth-grade classes, has started a Lake Tahoe Unified School District effort asking the students to create letters nominating those who inspire them.

“I think it’s great,” Allen said. “It brings the world together, and it’s a great way to get the community into something they can do to make a difference.”

Fifth-grader Theresa Chu responded to the call.

“I would like to nominate my mom, Phong Phang, to run the torch,” she wrote. “The reason why she inspires me is because she told me about herself when she was 10, when there was no school where she lived in Vietnam. She wants to go to school. She does not know much English. She’s trying to find a school to learn more English. She told me I have to go to school because it is important for me. I can learn more, and I could get smarter. I want her to run the torch because she tries her best.”

Forty South Lake Tahoe residents will be selected from three panels. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee is strongly urging more response from the South Shore.

There’s still a chance for those who want to join cancer survivor and Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong on the ceremonial jaunt.

The committee is accepting applications until May 15 to carry the symbol of unity, peace and human expression.

Ignited by the sun’s rays in Athens, Greece, the flame makes its way on its 65-day journey to the South Shore Jan. 20. The 13,500-mile route starts in Atlanta and ends in Salt Lake City.

Applications to carry the torch are available at the South Lake Tahoe Administrative Offices, El Dorado County Public Library, South Lake Tahoe Senior Center and the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Applications must be accompanied by a 50- to 100-word essay and sent to the Salt Lake Torchbearer Nominating Program; Post Office Box 4334; Blair, NE 68009.