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Media Coverage for Rotary Youth Exchange in Florida

North Jax Monthly, August 2008

"There are a lot of challenges, but you have to believe in yourself and welcome the challenges to gain the full experience."

A quote from Thore Fisker, in an article by Chris Madden, looking back on Thore's year in Jacksonville.

Fernandina Beach News Leader, February 26, 2008

"My idea of United States was what I saw in the movie. I didn't know really how United States was. In fact, I discovered almost everything when I arrived here."

Inbound student Kevyn Melon is featured in an article by Glenda Jenkins, in this regional weekly newspaper.

Mandarin Newsline, November 2007

When asked, "What is the best aspect you like about being here?" Murphy responded without losing a heart beat, "Prices of the clothes at the Mall. 50 percent off signs! I just love it!" Karagöz very sincerely responded, "I just really love being here."

This monthly community newspaper featured inbounds Destan Karagöz and Kevin Murphy in a front page article written by Karl Kennell.

The Beaches Leader, August 2007

"There are so many positive aspects to being in the exchange program," Shah said at the welcoming event. "You grow mentally and emotionally. The kids in the exchange program are more mature because we can make decisions without our parents. You get to socialize and you lend the hand to bridge between two countries."

Writer Jennifer Knoechel profiles new inbound Nirali Shah and soon-to-be outbound Taylor Bresnahan.

Palm Coast Lifestyles Magazine, May 2007

"Some people said they couldn’t imagine themselves doing something like this and it was hard to understand how I could leave everyone and everything to spend 365 days in a foreign country among strangers… But for me I wasn’t just going to a foreign country with different people and language, I was about to start the greatest adventure of my life!"

An article written by (not about!) our Brazilian inbound Elena Mascarenhas.

Mandarin NewsLine, February 2007

"Ahlen enjoys the eclectic tastes found in our restaurants including the variety of cafes and stores. He likes our pancakes and people. He will miss both, he says, when he returns home."

This front-page feature on Swedish inbound Olof Ahlen was written by Connie Lewis.

St. Johns Recorder, December 1, 2006

"All the students agree that America is a little different than what they expected. Roman Karkosch from Hanover, Germany, said he used to think America equals McDonald's."

Writer Katie Nail interviewed six of our inbound students about their experiences in northeast Florida. Featured in the story were Akemi, Nathalia, Lucile, Ida, Victoria, and Roman.

Cover girl!

Daytona Beach News-Journal, March 16, 2006

"Mariana is a rising star in tennis, and before she left Brazil she was ranked in the top-30 in the country in her age group."

Inbound student Mariana Divardin is profiled in this piece that made the cover of the local sports section. Reporter Michael Lewis writes about Mariana's success as the number one player on the New Smyrna Beach High School tennis team, and how she followed in her mother's footsteps.

Daytona Beach News-Journal, September 4, 2005

"They looked like typical American teenagers in a typical American school, but Isabell Krehemeier and Geraldine Bless walked into a new world when Flagler Palm Coast High School's fall term began."

Writer Michael Reed's story focuses on inbounds Isabell Krehemeier and Geraldine Bless and their first few weeks here. Also mentioned are inbound Mariana Divardin and outbound Amber Ridgley.

Ocala Star Banner, August 29, 2005

"While enjoying a game of bowling one recent afternoon, Michael Williams was approached by the police. He'd noticed the manager looking at him when he came in. He knew they all probably were wondering why a 17-year-old wasn't in school."

Outbound Michael Williams, getting ready to leave for Italy, is profiled by reporter Lashonda Stinson. Mike sure looks great in his Rotary blazer!

Florida Times-Union (St. Johns Sun), July 22, 2005

"Preparing to embark on a year-long adventure, five Bartram Trail High students will be leaving behind friends and family while looking to more clearly set their sights on the future direction of their lives."

Terry Brown's article focuses on the five outbound students from Bartram Trail High School in northwest St. Johns County, including interviews of Mike Murray, Hannah McKinney, and Kerry Elison.

Florida Times-Union, June 19, 2005

"Only four months after arriving as a Jacksonville exchange student at the resort island of Phuket, Thailand, Jacob Dobbs woke up to a deadly Indian Ocean tsunami. The Arlington student stayed in the region, volunteering after the disaster that claimed roughly 220,000 lives. On Saturday, he was surprised by family and friends at a welcome-home party."

A follow-up story by Beth Kormanik on outbound Jacob Dobbs and his return to Jacksonville after his exchange in Thailand. Six months earlier, he found himself right in the middle of the area where the deadly tsunami hit.

Florida Times Union, December 29, 2004

"While the world looks on in anguish and disbelief at the rising tsunami death toll and wonders why, Jacksonville native Jacob Dobbs has no doubt about why he is in the middle of the destruction and misery."

Just a few days after the Indian Ocean tsunami, T-U reporter Jeff Brumley connected with our outbound Jacob Dobbs, hosted in Phuket, Thailand, one of the hardest hit areas. This story and Jacob's picture were on the newspaper's front page.

Bradford County Telegraph, September 9, 2004

"Dreams do come true. Ask Bruno Lopes of Brazil, who expressed his desire, at the age of 10, to live with Starke residents Arley and Gladys McRae as an exchange student."

This local paper ran a wonderful profile by writer Cliff Smelley, on inbound student Bruno Lopes about a month after he arrived in Florida.

Alachua County Today, August 5, 2004

"Three years ago Sam Motley relocated to High Springs...Now Motley is on the move again and this time, he is going not only by himself, but he is leaving the country."

Outbound student Sam Motley is the focus of this story by reporter Cliff Olsen.

Gainesville Sun, May 20, 2004

"Ten Alachua County high school students will embark on Rotary Youth Exchange visits to other countries for an academic year starting later this summer. "

Writer Rob Oglesby wrote about all the Gainesville-area students in our 2004-05 outbound class.

Florida Times Union, February 7, 2004

"As Clay County folks field teams for the upcoming Relays for Life, one teenager should win a diversity recruitment award, if there was such a thing. Agethe (pronounced Ah-get) Lamouret, a 16-year-old French foreign exchange student staying in Clay County, is attempting to field a team of teens from France, Turkey, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Thailand and Poland."

Inbound Agathe Lamouret is featured in this article by reporter Mary Maraghy, for her efforts in support of the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life held at her high school.

Florida Times-Union, June 4, 2003

"When people ask Bartram Trail High School student Tierney Elison what she did on her vacation, the Fruit Cove teen can truthfully say she flew down to Rio ... and fished for piranhas, visited the waterfalls of Iguassu and hiked in jungles and caves. "

Outbound Tierney Elison was interviewed by reporter Dan Scanlan about her exchange year in Brazil.

Florida Times-Union, July 3,2002

"Tierney Elison should be finishing her unpacking about now, as she begins a year-long visit to Brazil. "

Times-Union writer Dan Scanlan profiled outbound Tierney Elison at the beginning of her exchange.

Florida Times Union, December 22, 2001

"Luis Ochoa smiles knowingly when asked about the differences in holiday customs between Ecuador and the United States."

Inbound student Luis Ochoa discusses his experiences in an American Christmas in this article by Lamar Thames.

 

Rotary Youth Exchange Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit Florida corporation, and a
federally tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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