newsletter-jennie-fouts-may-2008

MAY 2008
Hello Students
and Host
Families,
90 students from
Oregon and Washington
(actually from around
the world) had a great
weekend at Camp Casey
on Whidbey Island. We
endured a bumpy ferry
crossing, wind, rain,
snow, hail and finally
some sun. The talent
show was amazing and
some of the students
will perform again at our
Farewell Party. The
boys had to move
dormitories at 1:00am
because of a chemical mishap; that was scary! We explored the bridge, trails and beach at
Deception Pass and took some great pictures. The students have written that the weekend was
great fun, they met people from many countries, were able to speak their native language, liked the
food, didn't like the food, never slept, came home tired and wished we could do it again. Camp
Casey is always one of the highlights of our year and I am so happy the students have lots of new
and fun memories.
Look inside the newsletter for some pictures and in color, online, in a week or two, at
www.chinet.org. Go to Academic Year Program/regions/Washington/South/Olympia.
Students and families you have just a few days, weeks or a month left together. Spend some time
together remembering the good times, what you have all learned, the laughs, the tears, the firsts
and what you will remember after it's over...but is it over? You now have friends for life around the
world. Keep the communication going after the departure. Keep in touch by phone, email or 'oh my'
by snail mail.
We will miss you!
Jennie
Birthday Corner for the month of May
Please be sure to mark your calendar for the
goodbye party on May 31 st Please see the formal
invitation included at the back of this mailing.
5/12 Mei I (Japan)
5/14 Henric (Germany)
5/15 Philipp (Germany)
5/16 AC Jennifer
5/21 Paula (Mexico/Brazil)
5/23 Juliana (Colombia)
5/24 Maria (Colombia)

Meet our administration and academic coordinators who work hard to
see that our families and students have a wonderful experience!
AC and AAA Gaile Brown set
sail with her husband in
February and enjoyed a nice
cruise in the Carribean.
Area Administrator Jennie Fouts
vacationed in Hawaii with family in
March. Then she traveled to Japan
where she met next years Japanese
students. Here she is with her Japanese
student from last year, Yohie.
AC and AAA Lori Brotherson
spent her spring break at the beach
in Oregon with her family
AC Jennifer Anderson and
husband Scott traveled to
Snoqualmie Falls.
AC Erin Aukland, husband Monte
and son Kyle have enjoyed
having students over to share new
cultural ideas with them.
AC Alyson Fouts enjoys spending time with her
husband and three children. She enjoys coaching her
daughters volleyball team.
AC Sarah Jensen and husband
Kyle are planning a trip to
Belgium to visit students she’s
hosted and met through Cultural
Homestay.
AC Marnie Buckland enjoyed Hawaii
over her spring break and is currently
working on raising funds for her Chinese
students’ school that was affected by the
recent earthquake.
AC Erin Fischer traveled to
Kentucky this spring with her
husband.
AC Heather Andersen lives in Eastern Washington and teaches
at a private school.

Crazy Camp Casey
April 2008
Nonthakit –Best (Thailand) carries
his cotton ball quickly!
Asano (Japan) looks on with
interest… thinking they’re
crazy!
Ai (Japan) carefully
considers her next move.
Henric (Germany) plays his
guitar for the talent show.
Japanese girls
make cool
caligraphy
The mascot?
Sakiko
(Japan)
Luca and singing Italian friends
Sonor (Mongolia) raps
on through the night.
Our winning bride?
Oregon Yugi (Japan)
Oak Harbor Albertson’s donated more than $500 for our camp food. All 90
students went to say “thank you” in their own language and then sang a few
bars of their national anthem to store manager Bob. This is the Japanese
contingent. Thank you Albertson’s!

Camp Casey is an annual tradition that is a sure bet to be a weekend to remember!
Svenja, a friend and Marie-
Jeanette (Germany)
Rika, Ahsa, Ayumi N (Japan), Henrieke
(Germany) and Yutaro (Japan)
Ayumi Y and
friend (Japan)
Good friends are
hard to find, harder
to leave, and
Deception Pass
bridge
impossible to forget.
Anonymous
Robert and Henric (Germany) and
friends
Ai (Japan)
Rika (Japan)
Regina (Mexico)
Catalina
(Mexico)
Mariana (Mexico)
and Rika (Japan)
Catalina (Mexico)
Pawan (Thailand), Catalina (Mexico), Asano
(Japan), Hanna Regina (Germany), Carolin
(Germany)

olunteering has a long and proud
Vhistory in America. Our roots in
service extend back to the first
pioneers, when colonists had to ban together
to overcome the challenges of surviving and
adjusting to a new land. Since the time of
the formation of our nation, Americans have
volunteered to help each other in times of
war, tragedy, and need. (pointofflight.org)
Kristina
(Slovakia)
Haruna
(Japan)
Early one cold March morning, Academic
Coordinator Sarah Jensen introduced some
students, friends and families to a “hands
on” effort, volunteering for Habitat for
Humanity. “We stripped foundations in the
rain and mud. It was wonderful for us to
contribute in a positive way to the
community.”
Habitat for Humanity is a global organization
that provides affordable housing to families
in need through volunteer efforts, and local
chapters.
Currently, Habitat for Humanity
International is asking for donations that
will help to rebuild homes in China that were
damaged and destroyed in the area of the
recent earthquake. For more information on
helping, please see http://www.habitat.org/
Sonor (Mongolia), Ayumi
N (Japan), Eun Ji (Korea)
and host brother Del.
Nonthakit (Thailand), Juraj and
Kristina (Slovakia
Thank you for your great efforts!

What a month!
Robert (Germany) has
been to prom and Camp
Casey. He’s enjoyed
playing soccer and going to
BBQ’s.
Batkhuu (Mongolia) has been honored by his school
this last month for earning a 3.75 or higher grade
point average. He enjoyed the soccer season and liked
the end of the season ceremony.
Patricia (Brazil) has played fast pitch and attended
her high school prom. She loved being able to go
snowboarding for her
birthday!
Slim (Belgium) played>>
soccer for Aberdeen
high school in a very
successful season. He
was featured in the local
areas newspaper for
being an outstanding player.
Lin Zi (China) has traveled to several colleges during
her stay in the hopes of being able to return at a
later date to finish her education here. Her favorites
are located in Oregon State.
Philipp (Germany) is traveling with his host family to
Alaska for a fishing trip and then to Illinois to see
family and the areas attractions.
Henrieke (Germany) is busy dancing and played golf
for her high school. She has traveled to Arizona and
Colorado.
School track team. She had a wonderful prom night
and an exciting surprise birthday party.
Henric (Germany) had a major role in the South
Kitsap Sr. High Schools
play “Fools” where he>
plays the Majestrate.
AC Erin says even his
make believe accent is
amazing. Henric says it’s
the highlight of his year.
Paula (Brazil / Mexico)
ran in her first track meet ever for Adna High School
and participated on the girls relay team. She will be
celebrating her birthday later this month.
Telmuun (Mongolia) has been skiing so many times to
White Pass he’s almost lost count. He will be
returning to
Washington State
next year for
college.
Carolin (Germany)>
(shown here with
Hanna (Germany
and Pawan
(Thailand) is
excited to be involved in a horse jumping rally later in
the month.
Hanna (Germany) enjoyed Camp Casey karaoke and
has been polar bear swimming near AC Erin’s home.
Brrr.
Borja (Spain) attended prom with friends and worked
with a community member as a volunteer for the
areas flood clean up. He also participated on Adna
High School’s track team.
Joao (Brazil / Mexico) had an exciting year of soccer
for River Ridge High School where he played with
several other exchange students. He will attend the
international soccer game in Seattle against Brazil on
May 31 st
Asano (Japan) has>>
been swimming in very
cold water too. She
has been given the gift
of two baby ducks
from her host family
that she really wishes
she could take home
with her.

Hyun Woo (Eric) (Korea) made the district track
team for Kings West High School and placed 4 th . He
also volunteered for “Children of the Nations” where
he packaged food.
and her host family
met Juliana and her
family in California for
a great vacation. She
went to Camp Casey
and to her high school
prom.
Marie-Jeanette (Germany) continues to skate
competitively. She has been to Camp Casey, prom and
to Seattle’ s Cheesecake Factory for a birthday party.
Luca (Italy) has participated on the Emerald Ridge
High School track team and likes going to the YMCA.
He
was also involved in the Camp Casey weekend.

Yutaro (Japan) had an amazing trip to California for
his spring break. He toured Disney Land, California
Adventure, Knots Berry Farm and Warner Brothers
Studio. His favorite activity is Scrabble.
Sakiko (Japan) traveled to Florida with the Emerald
Ridge High School choir. She enjoyed the Mercer
Island International Festival and CHI’s Camp Casey.
Haruna (Japan) has been cooking with her host family
and played tennis for John Rogers High School.
Sonor (Mongolia) went to the prom at Stadium High
School and has had two of his art projects on display.
He’s hoping to return next year for college.
Todbileg (Mongolia) traveled to Arizona with his host
family for his spring break. He has worked hard in his
host family’s yard.
Juan-Gerardo (Mexico) likes hearing and speaking
lots of English. He enjoys having lots of company
come to his host family’s home.
Anna (Poland) loved Camp Casey and all the girl time
she had late at night. She participated on her high
school team for “Skills USA” and won a place in the
finals and a spot on the local television station.
Kristina (Slovakia) spent time with friends at Camp
Casey and is planning to attend the prom at Emerald
Ridge High School. She and her host mother will be
traveling to Oregon soon as well.
>
compassionate about
what her home
country is going
through and is
working hard to
raise funds and
awareness for the
schools in her area
with the help of her AC
Ayumi Y (Japan) has stayed busy with prom, tolo,
hockey and a ton of fun at Camp Casey.
Rika (Japan) has dreamed of learning to play the
guitar. Through her school she has been able to take
lessons and loves it. She had fun at Camp Casey and
loved hearing Japanese!
Mai K (Japan) practices her saxophone nearly every
night and likes knowing she’s getting better everyday.
She liked playing tennis for Lakes High School and
misses the friends she made there.
Ai (Japan) is involved in the track and field program
at Steilacoom High School. She has toured the
Seattle Underground and spent three days at Camp
Casey.
Hu Lim (Korea) is excited for the senior prom at
Bonney Lake High School later this month. She’s
planning to attend college here at a later date.
Mariana (Mexico) has traveled to several places this
last month with her school and with her host mother.
She had a great time at Camp Casey and is excited to
attend the prom at North Kitsap High School.
Yukii H (Japan)>
will be very busy
during the month
of May. She
plans to see a
Mariner baseball
game, have a
sleepover and
dance the night
away at the
Spanaway Lakes
prom.
Moeko S (Japan) has been roller-skating and golfing.
She attended the John Rogers High School prom and
enjoyed her evening.
Francesca (Italy) enjoyed Disney Land with her host
family and likes watching the girls from East Valley
High School play softball.
Hong Kong (Vietnam) has been accepted to Columbia
University in New York for the 2008-09 year.