Lessons from out of Africa

She’s a Disney teen queen, a TV wizard and a rock singer.

But 17-year-old Selena Gomez says what really blew her mind recently was a trip to the African nation of Ghana.

“I got to meet teens, I got to meet children, I got to meet families,” Gomez says of the trip, which she took last month with her mother and stepfather in her role as UNICEF’s youngest-ever ambassador.

“It was completely life-changing and eye-opening, and when we came back we definitely had nothing to complain about.”

This is Gomez’s second year as spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program, which is one of the longest-running youth volunteer movements in America.

Last year, Gomez raised some $700,000 for the campaign; this year she hopes to bring in $1 million.

Many kids who watch Gomez play Alex Russo on the Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” know little about Africa or the issues facing it, she says.

“That’s why I feel very honored to have a voice that kids listen to and take into consideration,” she says. “I had people on my tour asking me where is Ghana, and they Googled it … and because I went there, they now know where Ghana is. So it’s pretty incredible.”

It’s a busy time for Gomez. Her series returns Friday for a third season, and she released her debut album, “Kiss & Tell.”

“I can’t believe I have a CD!” she says, but “acting will always be my number one. I just love acting so much. Music is more of a personal thing I like to do.”

The birthday bunch

Cartoonist Bil Keane (“Family Circus”) is 87. Comedian Bill Dana is 85. Singer-guitarist Steve Miller is 66. Actor Jeff Conaway is 59. Actress Karen Allen is 58. Director Clive Barker is 57. Singer Bob Geldof is 55. Actor Daniel Baldwin is 49. Actress Josie Bissett is 39. Singer-actress Heather Headley is 35. Singer Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) is 35. Actress Parminder Nagra is 34. Actress Kate Winslet is 34.