May 27, 2009 — Germany exchange student

Editor,

My name is Corinna Klussmeyer and I am an exchange student from Germany. I am attending East Carter High School and will be graduating from there before I leave the United States.

Now that I have spent almost 10 months in the USA, I want to give my thanks to people who made this year the most unforgettable experience of my life.

First of all, I want to thank my wonderful host family, Vicky and Bobby Barker for making this year possible. You gave me the chance of experiencing the American life firsthand. I learned so much during my time over here and I have come to feel like part of your family. Your grandchildren, Bryce, Tayten, Kirsten, Braylen and Danica are such sweet kids and I will miss them a lot. I want to thank you for being my second family overseas that I can always rely on and you will always have a very special place in my heart.

Secondly, I want to thank my AYUSA Community Representative, Dorothy Ledger, who has always supported and helped me with any kind of problems or questions.

Also, I want to thank my Principal, Donald Damron for giving me the opportunity to enroll at East Carter High School and even getting to graduate in May. I appreciate this a lot. I want to thank my teachers that have made my high school experience a great one: my Spanish teacher, Mr. Tomlinson; my Chemistry and Physics teacher, Ms. May; my English teacher, Mrs. Potter; my U.S. History teacher, Mr. Kouns; my Economics teacher, Mr. Ramey and my Pre-Calculus teacher, Mr. Larabee. I want to especially thank Mrs. Potter for always helping me with my writing, which helped me improve my English so much. I also want to thank Mr. Kouns for being a really great history teacher. I would have never known so much about American history without you. Also, I would like to thank Mr. Ramey for teaching me how not to use my cell phone in his class. I would like to thank the staff of the FMD room, Vicky, Rhonda, Diana, and Debbie for always supporting and joking around with me.

I got to know so many great people at my high school and have become friends with a lot of them. I would especially like to thank three girls who have made my American dream a very special and unique experience: Allie Whitley, Whitley Hill and Breianna Colley. Thank you for always being there for me, supporting me and making my time over here so much more fun. I love you and I am already looking forward to you visiting me in Germany in 2010. I want to thank Tessa, the Dutch exchange student at my school for always being there for me and sharing her experience with me.

This year has not been the easiest year of my life, but it was one of the most exciting years for sure. I could have never thought of how much I am going to miss my American family, friends and I appreciate every little thing that everyone has done for me while being in the United States.

There is just one last thing to say: Thanks for the memories!

Also, I want to thank AYUSA for being a great exchange organization and offering a great program to all of their students.

Corinna Klussmeyer,

Germany

East Carter High School



Holland exchange student

Editor,

Hey, my name is Tessa von Kouterik. I am an exchange student from Holland that came here with the organization, AYUSA. I’m writing this letter because I want to thank some people that made this year wonderful for me. Of course, I want to thank my host family that took care of me, Anthony and Rhonda Rogers. This family treated me like I was their own daughter. They made me feel good and welcomed in their family. I’m proud that I am part of this family. They made me feel at home. Thank you Anthony and Rhonda for giving me the opportunity to learn about the American culture and about the American lifestyle.

I also want to thank my Community Representative Vicky Barker. She was there for me if I got in trouble and she helped find my host family. I also want to thank Dorothy Ledger. She is the Regional Director from AYUSA. If those two people weren’t here then I and many other exchange students would get to come here. They both gave us a great opportunity to come to America and learn about America. I think that every child that wants to learn about another country should have the chance to do that. With AYUSA, students have this chance.

I also want to thank, Mr. Damron, the principal of East Carter High School. He gave me the opportunity to enjoy an American high school and learn about the American School System. There are also some teachers that I want to thank. At first, Mrs. Boggs. She is my English teacher who always helps me. She definitely helped me to improve my English in writing and speaking. I really appreciate that.

She didn’t just help me in my English, she helped me to feel comfortable in her class. If there is anything I want to talk about I can go to her and she will help me. That made me feel special. It shows that Mrs. Boggs cares about her students and I think that is how it should be. Students need to feel comfortable and safe in school.

I also want to thank Mr. Ramey. I know I don’t have any class with you but I want to thank you for making me feel good when I was in a bad mood. You were always joking around with me and I really like that. It shows me that you care about students. I also want to thank Mr. Jarvis. I just had him for nine weeks but those nine weeks were really good.

There is one special friend I want to thank and that is Candace Michelle Reeves. I’m really glad that we became friends. We were both new at East Carter High School and we didn’t know anyone. You took me to Halloween Trick or Treat and to spend the night at your grandparent’s home. Thank you for being there for me.

Thank you all for giving us exchange students this wonderful year in the U.S.A.

Bedankt (Thank You)

Tessa van Kouterik,

The Netherlands

East Carter High School



Grayson needs a hospital

Editor,

I took my little grandson to one of the clinics at Grayson with a cut finger. They sent us on to the ER. That place was packed as usual. Thankfully they did take him straight in, but we were still there, over 4 hours. When we came out to go home, there were even more there waiting than when we went in. Some of them were probably from Carter County. Why don't we at least have an urgent care facility? Someone who could take care of a few stitches? This same grandson was born in a 10-bed hospital in Craig, Colorado. They were very efficient and took excellent care of both him and his mother. Grayson could surely do as much.

Sincerely,

Sandra Gollihue

Willard



Washington student

Editor,

Hello. My name is Makenna. I am a fifth grade student in Conway, Washington. I am doing my state project on your state of Kentucky. I was hoping to receive some information on your state to help with my report. Some of my favorite things about Kentucky that I've learned about so far is the Kentucky Derby, the Annual Quilt Show, the state flower the goldenrod, and the Kentucky cardinal. If you can help by sending me maps, postcards and souvenirs I'd be very happy!

Thank you for your help.

Makenna N.

PO Box 731

Conway, WA 98238



Looking for relatives

Editor,

I am hoping you can help me trace any relatives of a Theodore Roosevelt Yates.

He was born in Grayson in 1906 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 at Fort Knox. I believe he survived the war and returned to Grayson.

Ted Sanfield

9 Franklin Ave,

Chelsea Victoria

3196 Australia

My email is teddystanfield@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Ted Stanfield