Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995 TAG: 9508220026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Matt Belay, Nathan Kyle and Elisabeth Newcomb spent six weeks in Tamworth, New South Wales, where they lived with host families, attended a few days of school (it's winter there) and traveled to other parts of the country.
While the trip was designed to be an educational experience, Belay said it was "almost like a vacation." Belay, who had never been outside North America, also visited Sydney and backpacked by himself in a national forest for a few days. Belay, along with Kyle, graduated from high school in June. Both of them now attend Virginia Tech.
Newcomb, a high school senior, said the landscape in Tamworth was pretty and almost like a desert. She also thought the sky was closer and a different color. But Newcomb said she wouldn't want to live in Tamworth because she likes the mountains and trees. Plus, she said there was no diversity in the town, which has a population of about 35,000.
The Blacksburg Rotary Club sponsored the students' trip as part of its local effort to contribute to the Rotary International exchange program. Rotary International, the parent umbrella for Rotary clubs, sponsors various youth exchange programs to promote goodwill, understanding and knowledge of different countries, said David Reemsnyder, chairman of the youth exchange committee for the Rotary Club.
This was the first year the Blacksburg Rotary Club participated in such a program. While in Tamworth, the students attended two Rotary Club meetings.
The students had to apply and be accepted to participate in the program, and they were responsible for their travel and personal expenses. The Rotary Club provided $500 scholarships to each of the three students.
The trip's purpose was to familiarize the students with Australia as well as give them the opportunity to live with a foreign family and learn about life in another setting. In December 1994 and early January 1995, three students from Tamworth on their summer vacation stayed with families in Blacksburg. This winter, three more students from Tamworth will stay in the area.
High school students in Blacksburg who are interested in participating in the program, can contact Reemsnyder at 552-3515, ext. 305.
Several cheerleaders from Blacksburg High School attended cheerleading camp in July at Virginia Tech, where they were honored as a superior squad.
Two members, Dena Gregory and Kris Wiedegreen, were selected as All Stars from the camp. The two seniors will travel to London, England, over winter break and perform in the Westminster Parade on New Year's Day.
Gregory has more than five years of cheerleading experience and several years of dance experience. Wiedegreen, Blacksburg High's first male cheerleader, is also a wrestler and has two years of cheerleading experience.
Juniors Brook Mullendore and Ryan Simpson, along with Gregory, also won a trip to New York City at Thanksgiving, where they will perform in Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving Day.
Other students attending the camp include Katie Sina, Melissa Pauley and Christie Jones, all juniors.
TEACHER AWARD
The Blue Ridge Regional Education & Training Council recently presented a Blacksburg teacher the World of Work award in the work and family studies division.
Mary Fain, a child care teacher at Blacksburg High School, uses an on-site simulation run by the same standards as local day care centers and preschools. Fain runs the three-day-per-week preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children at Blacksburg High, where high school students enrolled in the program receive hands-on training. Local business and industry personnel serve as advisors and speakers for the classroom and provide field trips.
REMINDERS
There will be a back to school orientation and PTA school supply sale Thursday at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School. Students and parents are invited to visit the school, meet teachers and pick up supply lists for the coming school year from 4 to 7 p.m. The PTA's "one-stop" supply store will be open from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
There will be an open house at Riverlawn Elementary School Wednesday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Parents will receive their child's class assignment, meet teachers and tour the building. Parents are asked to report to the gymnasium before going to their child's class. Officers from the Parent Teacher Organization will be present to answer questions concerning parent involvement.
Riverlawn is located in the Fairlawn section of Pulaski County.
Shawsville Elementary School will have student/parent orientation Thursday. Parents can meet teachers, tour the facility and learn about programs and schedules for the coming school year. Orientation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. for grades 1-5 and at 7 p.m. for kindergarten.
Christiansburg Primary will have kindergarten orientation Tuesday at 7 p.m. Orientation for first-grade students will be Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Orientation for second-graders will be Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m.
by CNB