At our Tuesday morning meeting, the Chair of our Youth Services Cttee, Rudi Atkinson provided an update on the student exchange programs she and her committee have been managing on our behalves. After introducing our guest, the Chair of the D7090 STEP (short-term exchange program) Committee, Joanne Chalifour and providing a short overview of the program itself, Rudi outlined the following student exchanges we are supporting.
Year-long, outbound local students Ronyn Coelho is in Taiwan, Oliver Tilson is in Finland and Katelyn Pilgrim is in Italy. Year-long, inbound students are now with us and include Daniel Mullor Vidal from Spain (hosted by the Coelho family), Rasmus Kjaer from Denmark (hosted by the Tilson family) and Richard Baeker from Germany (hosted by the Pilgrim family). Over the summer, and as part of the Rotary STEP program, we hosted Santari Pekkanen from Finland and dispatched local student Noah Schomburg to Finland for the reciprocal experience.
At our meeting, Noah, Rasmus and Daniel each provided us with most interesting overviews of their personal experiences and the value of the exchange programs. In the photo, they are joined by Co-President Mary Mercato and Rudi Atkinson. As others have said, these three students are great examples that; … "the kids are OK!" We are so grateful for the support offered by the host families and the commitment provided our Youth Service committee. BZ.
