Houlton High Times writer
How would you like to have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to another country? Well, it is possible for Houlton and Hodgdon high school students, thanks to the Houlton Rotary Club. The participants that are eligible for the Rotary Exchange Program are students from Houlton and Hodgdon high schools. Students must be between the ages of 15 and 19 years old, of good character, demonstrate maturity, be adaptable and flexible students while being well-mannered.
There are different reasons why this would be a good experience for just about anyone: it helps develop leadership skills, good communication skills, a greater sense of maturity and responsibility, a deeper understanding of yourself to help you grow as an individual.
The Houlton Rotary Club sponsors the youth exchange program. The Rotary Youth Exchange was started in Europe in 1929, and it spread 10 years later to the U.S. It was not spread to the East Coast until 19 years later in 1958. There are approximately 36 countries available as possibilities.
Starting back in 2004, the exchange students were Jacob Callnan (Italy) and Justin Quint (Germany). Moving into the year 2005, the students picked were Ashley Gard (Brazil) and Sara Brewer (Brazil). The next year in 2006, the participants chosen were Brian McMann (Germany) and Brianne McGary (France). Finally, the participants for 2007 were Chris McGuire (Finland) and Dayna Tidd (Finland). Also, congratulations to the 2008 pick from Houlton: Emily McGary.
Also, the Web site of the Rotary Exchange for more information is www.rotary.org/programs/youth_ex/index.html.
