AFS

AFSCOLUMBIA-PACIFIC
HOSTING/DEPARTURE NEWS

COLUMBIA Host Family Finding is an on-going, never-
PACIFIC ending process. You will see an insert of
some of the great students assigned to our
Ron Combs team who are still waiting to find out who
Portland, OR their families will be and what community
they will be coming to. Please spread the
word and ‘nominate’ friends, neighbors,
business associates and relatives—in
JUNE 2006 Portland or even other parts of the country.
SAVE TREES AND POSTAGE There are many other regions also looking
for host families for the coming year. I’m
Want electronic newsletter? happy to report the Northwest is leading the
nation in percent of commitment placed. Our
E-Mail : r1p2combs3@aol.com region hit 70% yesterday! Columbia Pacific
is at 59%, with a couple of placements
Want souvenir/scrapbook hard copy snail mail? pending school or natural family approval.
E-Mail Ron Combs @ r1p2combs3@aol.com We have a ways to go. Please review the
profiles and see if you can think of someone
you know who would be open to hosting.
All others will be able to find the newsletter on the
Columbia-Pacific website:
http://www.afscolpac.org DEPARTURE - SUNDAY, JUNE 25
On Sunday, June 25, all families are to
bring their students to Lent’s Park (in SE
Portland at 89th and SE Holgate Blvd.) at
4 PM, where they will say their goodbyes.
The Calendar Students will then be transported to a
secret place where they will have fun and
have a chance to start their separation
JUNE 19 BASEBALL GAME Contact Ron Combs 503 771-8177 or 503-314-5243
process with the support of AFS volunteers
JUNE 20 AFS PICNIC – OAKS PARK Contact Ron Combs 503 771-8177 or 503-314-5243 and other students. Later that evening they
will be transported to the Gateway City
JUNE 25 DEPARTURE 4 PM AT LENTS PARK Contact Ron Combs 503-777-8117 or 503-314-5243
(Seattle) where they will take their
JULY 12 SOUTHEAST PORTLAND HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF BERNICE SCHUCHARDT international flights.
4806 SE Long, Portland – RSVP 503 775-4161 or bmschuch@aol.com
We still have three school slots in Portland
Public Schools, although not in Grant,
Lincoln or Jefferson. Vancouver is still open
and we need Vancouver leads. Columbia
county, Clackamas County, Wilsonville,
Tigard-Tualatin, Beaverton and Hillsboro
also will still accept students. We would
really like to get them placed before school
is out.
As always, I'd like to encourage everyone
to "speak AFS," at every opportunity. We
want hosting to be a privilege and joy and
we'd like to get our kids placed earlier in
the year, so they can be corresponding with
their families before they ever arrive. That
will only happen if each of us takes the
responsibility to share our experience and
plant the seed for others to share the joy
and challenge.
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Directions to Lents Park:
From I- 205 South Take Exit #17/Foster
Rd, turn left onto Foster Rd. At first light
(92nd Ave) turn right. Turn left on Holgate.
Park is about two blocks up on your left.
From I 205 North Take Exit #19 (Division/
Powell). Stay in right lane towards Powell,
turn right. Turn right at first light (Holgate).
Park is about two blocks up on your left.
If you get lost, call Ron Combs 503-314-5243.

JULY 13 COLUMBIA GORGE HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF RYMMEL & TEDD LOVELL -

2522 Old Dufur Road, The Dalles --RSVP (541) 296-6546 or tlovell@netcnct.net

JULY 15 LONGVIEW-KELSO HF ORIENTATION - GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH AFS FAREWELL PICNIC - TUESDAY, JUNE 20
402 Crawford, Kelso, WA - RSVP 360 423-0166 or MDErickson@adelphia.net
JULY 18 NORTH CLACKAMAS/LAKE OSWEGO HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF MAGGIE FRIESKE
14951 SE Ranch, Milwaukie - RSVP 503 659-7958 or maggiefrieske@comcast.net This event had to be scheduled on a Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
weekday as we could not get a Rides: Start at 11:00 a.m. Free for
JULY 20 NORTH-NORTHEAST PORTLAND HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF SUSAN RIGGS reservation for a weekend. Therefore, we students; $5.00 for anyone else.
3239 NE 20th, Portland – RSVP Chris Cradler 503 287-6601 or fergler@comcast.net
decided to schedule an event for all the What is furnished: Hamburgers, hot
JULY 20 CAMAS-WASHOUGAL & VANCOUVER-BATTLEGROUND HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF RUTH LADAGE kids who are out of school and any dogs, drinks and table service.
1352 43rd Court, Washougal – RSVP 360 931-4020 families, liaisons, aunt and uncle families
JULY 26 OREGON COAST HF ORIENTATION - HOME OF SUE CUDD at Oaks Park. For more information contact Ron Combs
2975 Netarts Bay West, Tillamook- RSVP 503 815-3507 or SueCudd@aol.com (503) 771-8117 or via e-mail at
When: Tuesday, June 20 r1p2combs3@aol.com. Ron’s cell phone
AUGUST 6 WEST PORTLAND/BEAVERTON/HILLSBORO HF ORIENTATION - BEAVERTON COMMUNITY CENTER
Where: Oaks Park (at the foot of the is (503) 314-5243.
12350 SW 5th Street, Suite 100, Beaverton - RSVP 503 452-1868 or sawells@teleport.com
Sellwood Bridge)
AUGUST 9, 10, 11 ARRIVAL OF 2006-2007 STUDENTS Directions: Call the park at 503 233-5777 RSVP by June 15.
AUGUST 12 ARRIVAL ORIENTATION IN CAMAS AND PICK-UP OF STUDENTS BY FAMILIES

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE
In order for our area team to function and have
fun filling our mission, we need to develop new
leadership and recruit new volunteers. We need
some help! Here are some jobs we need to fill:
• Newsletter editors and reporters (we have a
new, very talented publisher, we just need a
couple of people willing to collect and edit
articles from our local reporters;
• Computer savvy person to assist with the
website—it can be much more of a tool for all
of us. Henry our present webmaster needs help
maintaining the website during his busy
“Scream at the Beach” season;
• Data person who likes keeping track of
addresses and emails—a roster keeper;
• Event planners willing to take on one or two
projects for the year; host family recognition;
volunteer recognition; Portland AFS
International Week;
• Area Team Hosting Coordinator; Local
VOLUNTEER EVENTS
END OF STAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 25
Just a few weeks away, our students will be
leaving us to return home. AFS Columbia Pacific
has planned a special, secret end-of-stay activity
for them. This requires lots of volunteers on
Sunday, June 25 for the following jobs:
At Lents Park drop-off site (from 4-5 p.m.)
• Volunteers to weigh luggage, check students in
and assign vehicles.
• Drivers to drive from Lents to “secret location.”
• Prepare snack bags for students to take on the
bus to Seattle. This could be done in the home
and AFS will reimburse costs.
Helpers at Secret Site
• 1 person from 6:00 – 9 p.m.;
• 3 people from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• 3 people from 8:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.
• 3 people 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
The “helpers” at the secret site chaperone and chat
with kids; clean up and pack up after students
leave on the bus. If you are able to help, contact
Ron Combs at 503-771-8177 or 503-314-5243
(cell) or via e-mail at r1p2combs3@aol.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Hosting Coordinators, Host Family
Recruiters, Interviewers—especially for
Beaverton, Hillsboro, Columbia County, “outer
southwest” and Washington Gorge (Stevenson,
White Salmon, Trout Lake—do you have any
friends up there?) Clark county; Washington
North
• Liaison/Support Coordinators for each
hosting cluster to help recruit liaisons and
support them in their vital work of supporting
our students and families;
• Area Team Sending Coordinator; Local
Coordinators; Interviewers and Natural
Family Liaisons;
• Area Team Volunteer Coordinator; Local
Unit Volunteer Coordinators—to cultivate
new volunteers--we have fun with our kids and
we should be willing to share the pleasure.
CONTACT: Area Chair Ron Combs at 503 777-
8117 or cell phone 503-314-5243 or Sally Ann
Wells, 503 452-1868 or cell phone 503 703-8223.
DRIVERS NEEDED FOR 2007
For Pendleton Roundup, Ski Trip, Ashland. You
must be a registered volunteer. Ron Combs at
503-771-8177 or 503-314-5243 (cell) or via e-
mail at r1p2combs3@aol.com.
SEATTLE TRAIN TRIP
In May, Bernice’s Eastside Cluster took the
2- day trip. Renko (Germany) , Shunsuke
(Japan), Carlos (Mexico), Marta
(Norway), Jaimie (New Zealand), Simge
(Turkey); and our three AFS teachers from
China, Zhang Mei, He Yuejun,and
Nongyao all took the trip, with Bernice
and Sally Ann as chaperones.
Is there a volunteer out there who
would consider organizaing a 2007
Seattle trip?
Contact Bernice Schuchardt at 503 775-
4161 or bmschuch@aol.com.
VISITING TEACHERS SHARE THEIR STORIES
NONGYAO LUANGWONG - THAILAND
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
IN OTHER REGIONS
I would like to share a little bit about myself with you. My name is I decided to apply for the AFS teacher program because I’m looking
Nongyao Luangwong. I am a visiting teacher from Thailand. Currently for varieties of ways and methods of learning English to increase and
Every June and August a series of
I’m teaching at Trillium Charter School. improve speaking and a knowledge of English; writing, reading,
extraordinary AFS-USA events focusing
speaking and listening.
on departures and arrival of our students
In Thailand I live with my parents and my younger brother. I have
occur in five cities across the nation.
four more brothers and one sister. They are all married and live with The AFS program allowed me to improve. The benefits I have gain as
These events combine the efforts of 300
their family. the following:
plus volunteers and staff members and are
1) Learning English vocabulary and speaking the language well.
exciting times for all involved.
The greeting is one of the biggest different between my culture and 2) Serving English as a second language classes.
yours here in America. In my culture younger people will greet older 3) Knowing the American education system, culture and lifestyle.
To support these events, we are actively
people first. 4) Gaining a rewarding experiences during a worthwhile visit.
recruiting volunteers to fill the roles of
group leaders, cultural resource speakers,
They’ll bow with hands together and say the word “Sawasdee kha” (for As for my favorite outing, I thought the “Pendleton Round – Up” has
greeters at airports, hotel coordinators,
female) or “Sawasdeekhrab” (for male). The word Sawasdee can be made a great impression on me.
and/or bus chaperones. If you've
used all times of the day. The meaning of the word “Sawasdee” is “Hi”
volunteered in the past or would like to
or “Hello”. If the person is our friend or about the same age, the word About teaching in the USA gave me an idea of one way that will
gain a new perspective of our programs,
“Sawasdee” alone is sufficient for greeting.It is important that the enhance my career in Thailand as a teacher. It’s field trips. I know I can
we present the following list of volunteer
younger persons have to respect for the older persons. be a role model for other teachers in Thailand when I return.”
possibilities and events that may appeal to
you and your talents.
ARRIVAL OF HOSTED PARTICIPANTS
2700 students arrive in US PRUTHA DESSI – AFS YES AMBASSADOR FROM INDIA SPEAKS AT UN LUNCHEON
Dates: August 9, 10 & 11
Locations: Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, A TRIP TO INTROSPECTION
Houston & New York by Prutha Desai
Sample Volunteer Positions: Meeting
and greeting arriving students at airports, “Now here is something that I learnt from the trip to the UN.
Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who worked to make
hotel coordination, bus chaperones
this year as it has been for me. When I was at the podium, talking
You can well imagine the excitement and to all the delegates, I felt a different sense of power and confidence.
emotions surrounding these events and It felt like "not me" for once. I never in my dreams had thought of
how it helps to create the perfect scenario talking in front of the UN. Being among all the people from all
to view the mission of AFS-USA over the world, striving for peace and harmony, I felt that I made a
firsthand. Won't you please consider difference. It is "in" me and it will be there forever. Everyone has
volunteering at one of these events? the strength; to use it right and at the ripe moment, that is what
most of us lack, sometimes.
If you are interested or have more questions,
please contact the Travel and Logistics In the true sense, I felt like a global citizen, a representative of the
Coordinator at your local Regional Service Prutha Desai, hosted by the Scott Family in Beaverton and people of the future who want to make it work.. Lovingly work.It
Center or Nancy Frazier, (nfrazier@afs.org) attending Beaverton High School, is an AFS-YES Scholar from also made me understand that I had a lot of responsibilities that I
Manager of Volunteer Services. India. Prutha was invited to speak at a UN luncheon in New was bound to perform.
York, recently.
SEATTLE or LOS ANGELES : It was not such a short experience, it was huge... emotionally (like
You can read about it on the AFS International Website:
Carrie O'Callaghan (cocallaghan@afs.org) a gorilla...Ahh! but the good one, like the one in Baby's Day
http://www.afs.org/AFSI/content/page.php?uid=27&article=179.
1.800.876.2377 ext 1570; Portland, OR Out...). It is impossible to explain how good it was--well, you just
and Prutha has shared her reflections of that experience for the
office. If you are interested in helping out had be there--because I would love to see more people/students
here in Portland on departure day (June newsletter. Prutha’s reflections reinforce the Mission of AFS. from AFS to go there and in the future make it possible for
25), contact Ron Combs at 503 777-8117 Peace Person by Person. Thank you for sharing, Prutha! everyone to be an exchange student. Peace Prutha”
 VISITING TEACHERS SHARE THEIR STORIES
JIN ZHAI - CHINA
My name is Jin Zhai, I'm from a city called Zunyi which is in
Southwest China; I came to US through the AFS Intercultural Program,
I teach kids Chinese Culture in Battle Ground High School, what a
great opportunity AFS offered us!
I'm an English teacher in China, that's why I came to USA because I
want to improve my English, and also it's a great chance for me to
teach the American kids about China, and let them know more about
the most populated country in the world, and also the largest country
with 5,00 years history, we talk about Chinese history, do Chinese
cooking , Calligraphy, and learn about Chinese medicine.
The most difficult part about the program is I have a three-year old
son in China, he's too young to leave his mother, I miss him very
much, hopefully my husband and my parents and in-law help to take
care of him.
1. The biggest difference between China and America is diversity, here
in USA you can meet people from all over the world and eat food
from different countries, and also you can see many shows in theater
coming from all over the world, just as people always say the USA is a
Melting Pot!
2. I think AFS program offers us such a great opportunity to really get
to know American people, American culture and American schools and
kids, it offers us enough time to really "melt" in this country, I really
like it! That's also why I applied for the program.
3. My favourite trip here on AFS is the trip to Seattle. Now let me tell
you about it.
Our wonderful “CHINESE” trip to Seattle
Last weekend, we had a wonderful trip to Seattle which was
sponsored by AFS Intercultural program, three of Chinese teachers
and 6 exchange students got on the train and headed to Seattle on
Saturday morning.
There were such beautiful scenery along the railway that we took a lot
of pictures. We talked and played cards on the train. Then here came an
old man, looked like in his seventies, when he learned that we are from
China, he came up and talked with us, and he tried to communicate
with us in Chinese, he spoke some of the phrases and sentences pretty
well, I then asked him how long he had learned Chinese, he said he just
started two weeks ago, and he taught by himself, he had VCD which
can help him to learn some Chinese, he knows how to ask your name
and your age and ask the way, well, just in two weeks, he can learn so
well despite he’s an old man, I really admired him a lot, and here came
my second question, “ What makes you learn Chinese?” he went
“Because I teach ELL students here and some of them are Chinese, in
order to make them understand me better, I want to learn Chinese.”
What a great idea!
We then went to Pike Place Market, where there were a lot of fun thing
to do, shopping and watching people singing and throwing fishes, after
you bought salmon, the salesman tried to throw the fish at you, be
careful!! Finally you’ll figure out the fish they are trying to throw at
you is not real fish but toy fish!
We then went to a seaside restaurant where they served great food,
seafood, soup, noodles and stuff, we enjoyed our food very much and
enjoyed the beautiful view out of the window.
Finally here came a guy who is the shuttle driver of the hotel where we
live, he came to pick us up at the restaurant, and when he knew we
were from China, he asked us which cities we were from, it seemed
that he knew very well of China, I asked him “ can you speak
Chinese?”, he immediately spoke Chinese with us, and what surprised
us most is how well he can speak Chinese, and it’s apparently that he
learn his Chinese in Beijing, the capital city of China, because you can
tell he has got strong Beijing accent, and he can use the language so
well, it’s very impressive, we later learned that he studied Chinese in
Beijing for two years, and he wanted to be an interpreter at the very
beginning and he learned Chinese so hard, well, it’s no wonder he can
speak Chinese so well!
Later when we got back to hotel, here came another surprise again, we
can watch CCTV9 here, which is the only English Channel of China,
and you can learn many Chinese news and culture here, it seemed that
our Seattle trip is more like a Chinese trip! It’s really impressive that
we met American people who can speak very good Chinese and can
easily communicate with us, the feeling is so good that you can find
somebody who can speak your native language, it really makes you
feel comfortable and warm in the heart. I have to say let’s all study
another language hard and try to get across the language barriers and
communicate with people in the world!
4. The teaching method and teaching ideas In American school are quite
different from that of China, while I'm teaching in USA, I really learned
many Great Teaching skills, like how to keep the kids "BUSY", how to
do a project and let the kids well involved in my class, and let them Do
more things instead of me just teaching in the class, and also here in
USA, they really have many good management for the kids, like do the
attendance and the grades on the computer, it's really nice and easy!
Most importantly, My English is much improved while I teach the kids
here, now I can communicate with the kids easily in the class and talk
about American culture and Chinese culture with them, so I really
know a lot about the American kids, their attitude towards life, their
value and life goal, some of them are good to encourage my kids when
I go back to China, like the American kids are really independent, they
are very sociable, and very capable in dealing with something, so I
should train my students in China to be more independent, and also we
should learn more about American kids' positive attitude towards life.
HOSTING/STUDENT NEWS
VOLUNTEER DEFINITIONS
Student/Family Liaisons
This individual works with one student
and one host family by maintaining
monthly contact with each party, which
also includes periodically the host school.
By facilitating communication and
understanding between host family,
student and sometimes school throughout
the year, the relationship and intercultural
learning opportunities are optimized.
Aunt/Uncle Family
A family or individual that spends time
with the student on a regular basis in
addition to the host family. For instance,
an aunt/uncle family may take student for
a weekend trip, hiking, or out to a movie
or ice cream.
Gateway Family
A family or individual who will take the
students for the first few days in the
USA. For next year’s students who will
be arriving from August 9, 10, 11, 2006.
On the 8/12, they will go to meet their
host family for the year.
BEAVERS BASEBALL GAME FOR
AFS STUDENTS
Date: Monday, June 19
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00
Where: Call Ron Combs
Cost: AFS students free, everyone else $5.00
If you want to come in and over-night with a
Portland family, contact Ron Combs.
at (503) 771-8117 or via e-mail at
R1p2combs3@aol.com.
Ron’s cell phone is (503) 314-5243.
ASHLAND TRIP
Ron Combs organized an AFS trip to
Ashland in May to see The Diary of Anne
Frank and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Twenty-four students, teachers, and
volunteers participated in this optional
activity. Special thanks to drivers: Jeff
Larson, Ron Combs, Ruth Ladage, and Mark
Gardner. See Ashland photos on photo page.
HOST FAMILY ORIENTATIONS
PORTLAND N/NE CAMAS, WASHOUGAL, BATTLEGROUND,
Host Family Orientation Thursday, July 20, 7 AND VANCOUVER
- 9:30 p.m. at the home of Susan Riggs (3239 Camas, Washougal, Battleground, and
NE 20th Ave, Portland). RSVP to Chris Vancouver will hold a family orientation at
Cradler 503-287-6601 or fergler@comcast.net. the home of Ruth Ladage (1352 43rd Court,
Washougal) on Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m..
PORTLAND SE
Portland SE cluster will hold a Host Family Directions:
Orientation on Wednesday, July 12, at the - From I 205 take Hwy 14 eastbound
home of Bernice Schuchardt, 4806 SE Long, - Go past Camas and Washougal.
Portland, from 7-9:30 p.m. Sandwiches will - Take a left off the freeway at 32nd St.
be served. RSVP to Bernice a week before at - Turn right at stop light (Evergreen Way)
503-775-4161 or bmschuch@aol.com. - Turn left on 39th street (at the fire station)
- Go through stop sign at Washougal HS
MILWAUKIE/CLACKAMAS - Turn right on M St (by Methodist church).
July 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the home of Maggie - Turn right at the second road - M Loop
Frieske, 14951 SE Rancho, Milwaukie, - Turn left on the first street - 43rd Court
phone 503-639-2938. Please RSVP. - House is tall and gray with black shutters
STUDENT NEWS
THERESE (AIMEE) MAMA MBONE FROM FRANCE
Therese (Aimee) Mama Mbone, AFS student from France, recently received
3 sports awards from Mt.View High School in Vancouver, Washington. The
awards are: Junior Varsity Award, Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Hustle
Award and the Scholar Athlete Award. Aimee's host parents are Lisa and
Greg Stecker.
KAHAR USOP, YES STUDENT FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Kahar Usop, along with his host mother, Bernie Gerhardt traveled to a
Legislative Reception in Olympia on February 8, 2006. At the Legislative
Reception, Governor Chris Gregoire gave a presentation on the state of the
State of Washington. Afterwards, Kahar conversed with Governor Gregoire
about his school, Skyview in Vancouver and was able to promote the YES
Program and give information to the governor about AFS in general. Kahar
also met Ellen Alle the Commission heads of the Asian Pacific I.
Kahar Usop received an award for Community Service at the 2006 Clark
County Youth Achievement Celebration at Skyview High School on April
29, 2006. The theme was "The Difference You Make is Infinite. Kahar
received his award for his participation in the Division of Children's
Holiday Activity of giving Christmas presents to children in out of home
care and helping the homeless at an overnight shelter for the homeless.
Kahar was congratulated by State Representative Craig Pridemoreand Clark
County Sheriff Gary Lucas.
 HOSTING - 2006 COLUMBIA PACIFIC COMMUNITY-PLACED BOYS
EVGENIY FROM UZBEKISTAN FLEX SCHOLAR, SLEP = 44
Evgeniy is a very active young man who enjoys playing many
different sports. Among his top favorites are soccer, basketball and
volleyball. He also practices Tae Kwon each week and stays in
shape by body-building. In the summertime he enjoys swimming.
Evgeniy is very passionate about education and the act of reading. "I can't imagine
my life without reading," he writes. At school he has established himself as a
versatile, diligent and hard-working student who displays strong leadership qualities.
In regards to his future, Evgeniy is certain that English will play a very strong part in
his career. Fortunately, he is very passionate about the language and its culture, and
thus he is very excited to live and study in the States through AFS.
VITOR FROM BRAZIL ELRF = 2/3/2, SLEP = 57
Athletics are very important to Victor. He is a member of his
school's soccer team and practices twice a week. He enjoys going
swimming, doing gymnastics and playing handball and
volleyball. In his free time, Victor likes to surf and model.
"My friends think that I am loyal and the girls consider me lovely," explains Victor.
He is a sensitive, gentle, and trustworthy person. His parents say that he is very
responsible and able to talk open and honestly about any issue.
Victor lives in Sao Paulo with his older brother and his parents. His family has a
great relationship that is based on open communication. His father is a businessman
and his mother is self employed.
RUSLAN FROM KAZAKHSTAN FLEX SCHOLAR, SLEP = 54
Ruslan is a person full of energy. He enjoys listening to rock
music, playing the guitar and the drums, and reading books. He
created a music group with his friends at school. He also enjoys
playing sports. He plays volleyball in the school team.
Ruslan is a talkative person who has many friends. He respects other people's
opinions and he can count on his friends when he has some problems. His
teacher wrote, "He's a very industrious and reliable person. He's respected and
loved by people".
Ruslan lives with his mother and his younger brother. They often go to the
countryside together to relax. He has two dreams for his future. He'd like to study
medicine and become a doctor to help other people, and he'd like to create his own
rock band.
PENTOR “PEACE” FROM THAILAND
ELRF = 3/4/3, SLEP = 51
Pentor studies at a Christian high school, majoring in science and
math. In the future, he hopes to become a civil or computer
engineer. His teacher is impressed by all he has accomplished.
"Pentor is an intelligent young man," his teacher notes. "He participated in academic
competitions, representing the school and competed in mathematic competitions
against students from other schools."
Pentor has a close relationship with his family. "His nickname is 'Peace,'" his dad
says. An only child, Pentor says he has an open relationship with his mom and dad.
"We can discuss everything.".
NIKOLAJ FROM DENMARK ELRF = 2/3/2, SLEP = 61
Nikolaj enjoys listening and playing music; he plays drums in a
band. His favorite subjects in school are biology and chemistry.
He finds interesting to find answers about the ecosystem. After
school he works in a loudspeakers factory twice a week.
Nikolaj's family would describe him as a helpful person and a good mediator. He's
outgoing and friendly. He's also a good listener and gets mad when he witnesses
injustices. In his house he often helps with the cooking and one day a week he's
the chef.
Nikolaj grew up doing activities outdoors and he's a big fan of the warm weather. In
the future he'd like to study at the university and explore more the field of biology or
chemistry. He's eager to meet his new American family and learn about them.
SIMON FROM SWEDEN ELRF = 3/2/2
Simon enjoys participating in Flashkick, a form of Teakwando,
twice a week. He also loves to downhill ski on the weekends
during winter. Simon takes clarinet lessons once a week and is in
an orchestra that plays all kinds of music.
Simon says he is a happy, curious boy who likes to learn new things. His parents
confirm his curiosity and say that if he asks a question he is eager to listen to the
answer. Simon's teacher describes him as motivated and ambitious. Simon lives with
his father, mother, and younger sister. His father is a computer systems developer
and his mother is a handling officer. The family enjoys traveling and has been to
several countries such as Italy, Denmark, Finland, and Austria.
ASIL FROM PHILIPPINES
YES SCHOLAR , ELRF = 5/5/5, SLEP = 67
Being shown by Pacific Cascades, Asil enjoys different kinds of
art like dance, singing, acting and painting. He also loves playing
tennis, but hasn't in awhile. In the summer, he enjoys swimming.
On the weekends, he hangs out at the mall. He is the host for a local tv show.
According to Asil's parents, he is a leader, intelligent, unique and vibrant. Others see
him as respectful, articulate, confident, but modest. He is also sociable. His friends
describe him as friendly, understanding, and knows how to make others laugh.
Asil lives with an uncle, because his parents both work in Bahrain. His parents
wanted him to live in the Philippines to learn about the culture. In the future, he
plans to go to college and focus on law or medicine. Does not eat pork.
ANDRES FROM COLOMBIA ELRF= 3/3/3
Andres is very athletic and jogs, plays soccer, swims and rides
his bike often. He was elected his school's student representative
and helps with events in town. He also enjoys reading books on
philosophy and surfing the internet.
His teacher describes him as "a nice person who likes practicing sports and being
involved in activities that improve the school". His friends and family see him as a
nice person who is very sociable and funny.
Andres lives in Pamplona with his Aunt, grandparents and cousin because the city
has a better educational system. His parents live in a different city and he sees them
often. His family has hosted an AFS student in the past.
HOSTING - 2006 COLUMBIA PACIFIC COMMUNITY-PLACED GIRLS
RANDA FROM EGYPT
YES SCHOLAR, ELRF = 2/2/?, SLEP 48
MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR CLUSTER ENRICHMENT
Randa is a very busy and involved person. She loves to play
sports and practices Karate often. She is a member of the
broadcasting, library, and reading groups at school. Randa is very interested in
science and math is her favorite subject.
Randa is a positive person who likes to be social. She is very dedicated to her activities
and works hard to succeed academically. She is a trustworthy friend and admires
honesty and sincerity in others. Randa expresses herself openly and listens well.
Randa lives in Cairo with her younger brother and her parents. Her family has a very
supportive and loving relationship. Her father and mother are both general managers.
Randa dreams of becoming an engineer.
PUTARAK “PLOY” FROM THAILAND
ELRF = 3/4/3, SLEP = 40
Ploy enjoys swimming, badminton & basketball. She also like
surfing the internet and listening to music. Her education is very
important to her.
Ploy's friends describe her as a cheerful, talkative, sincere, honest person. She is
close to her family and enjoys spending time with them. She is very willing to try
new experiences.
Ploy lives with her mother & her younger sister. They enjoy cooking, watching TV
and traveling together. When she finishes school, she hopes to be a judge.
JULIA “JULY” FROM BRAZIL ELRF = 4/4/4, NEED SLEP =
Julia is a spirited young woman whose top interest is clear: it's
basketball. She plays for three teams: school, club and state. She
hopes to pursue sports throughout her life, perhaps into a career
in sports rehab and medicine.
According to her teacher, "Julia is a lovely and bright student! She is friendly,
communicative, and has the spirit of leadership." Her parents describe Julia as
"determined, obedient, studious and very affectionate."
Julia lives in the large coastal city of Fortaleza with her parents and two elder
siblings. They are a well-educated, sporting family with an interest in the arts. Both
of Julia's parents are self-employed businesspeople.
LINA MARIA FROM NORWAY ELRF = 4/3/3, SLEP = 60
Lina Maria is captain of her soccer team and plays three times a
week. She likes to keep active, but also to have fun. She listens
to music everyday and sometimes enjoys taking quiet walks in
the woods.
Her English teacher compliments her as "motivated, highly capable of studying
theoretical subjects...a good natured person." Her parents consider her to be
organized and responsible, good at taking care of herself.
Lina Maria was born in Colombia, but adopted as an infant. She now lives with her
parents and younger brother in Narvik, Norway. She hopes that going to a new
country will help her discover what she wants to do with her life.
FRANCESCA FROM AUSTRIA ELRF=4/4/4, NEED SLEP =
Francesca's main passions are playing the violin and the piano;
she hopes to continue playing while she is abroad. In the summer
she enjoys swimming, playing tennis and biking; in the winter
she occasionally skis.
She describes herself as being humorous, a good-listener, helpful and polite. She is
quite independent and trusts herself when she must make a decision. When
confronted with a problem she usually seeks out her friends for advice.
Francesca lives with her mother in the city of Vienna. She sees her father twice a
year and she says they have a good relationship. Currently, she is unsure of what her
future career goals are, but she is looking forward to her year abroad.
LOLITA FROM RUSSIA
FLEX SCHOLAR, SLEP = 51
MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR CLUSTER ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Lolita is a very talented and passionate musician. She plays
guitar, flute, and the piano, and she loves all kinds of music from
rock/pop to classical. Her other interests include opera, ballet, gardening, swimming,
volleyball, and going on nature hikes.
Lolita has developed into a very diligent, inquisitive, and hard-working student. She
shows strong abilities in the vast majority of her studies, and for the past two years
she has been a tutor. She is a very kind, respectful and open-hearted young lady.
Lolita has a fear of “angry dogs” and may have trouble adapting to dogs in the house.
In the future, Lolita would like to pursue a career in journalism as a critic of both
music and film. She loves to express her opinions to others, especially when doing
so introduces them to great works of art and expression.
ELISABETH FROM AUSTRIA ELRF = 3/3/3, NEED SLEP =
Elisabeth has the most fun when she is hanging out with her friends.
She enjoys having sleepovers and planning parties. Elisabeth likes to
go swimming when the weather is nice and in the winter, she enjoys
snowboarding.She loves dancing around the house.
Elisabeth has always been a very independent girl. She is a great leader because she
is good at listening to others and taking charge in group settings. Elisabeth is a self
confident and responsible person who is highly respected by her peers.
Elisabeth lives in Gross-Enzersdorf with her mother. She has an older brother who
lives in Sweden with her aunt. She has a wonderful and loving relationship with her
mother and grandmother. Elisabeth is extremely eager to make friend around the globe.
If you are interested in Family placing
any of these students, please contact
Sally Ann Wells to determine if they are
still available. (503) 452-1868