Newspaper Article on Fiona Reed - QLD to USA

Tue 10 Feb 2009

The following is an article discussing the experiences of Fiona Reed, an exchange student from Cairns in Queensland, who has recently returned from a year in the USA. The article appeared in the local paper for the region Fiona lived in, the Porterville Record.

Australian girl says 'Cheerio' to Granite Hills

By ESTHER AVILA
December 4, 2008 - 4:38PM

An all-American red-white-and-blue bon voyage is what Fiona Reed, Granite Hills High School's foreign exchange student, received Thursday by the school's student body association.

Reed, who is from Australia, returns to her country on Sunday - but before she does, her classmates wanted to make sure she had one last taste of everything "American". "We love her and knew we would give her a going-away party," Jasmine Hernandez, one of Reed's closest friends and the Associated Student Body decorations officer, said. "This is the Valley, so we wanted to keep it simple - an American party with American hotdogs, chips, Coke and root beer floats. Everyone pitched in." The students decorated the ASB room in red, white and blue - and kept the party a surprise.

"I have been around high schools for a long, long, long time and I have met my share of foreign exchange students but never anyone as great as Fiona," Veryl Ann Duncan, School Principal, said. "She's made a big, positive impact on her friends. She's been a pleasure to have. She is a very popular student and fits in perfectly. She's definitely the most involved foreign exchange student by far we've ever had." Duncan said she has been amazed at the long list of activities that Reed has been involved with.

Reed stayed a full year - but divided it between two years, Duncan said, spending one junior-year semester and one semester during her senior year. During that time, she ran track and cross country, was president of the snow club, was actively involved in several school-based activities and was nominated and ran for Homecoming queen. In addition, she spent numerous hours helping the school's cheer adviser, Mindy Boyer, with cheer camp, and volunteered most of the summer at a YMCA camp. "In America there are so many things to do - every day after school, there is some activity," Reed said. "It's amazing. Being involved was an amazing opportunity and I wanted to make the best of it."

But Reed's actions exceeded any expectations held by her teachers and advisers. "From the beginning, she's given 110-percent to everything we have on campus," Rebecca Chavez, the school's activities director, said. "The kids love her. She will be missed tremendously. "

As the party came to a close, the students offered her gifts to remember her school, friends and America by - school porn poms, spirit beads, teddy bear, T-shirt and tiny black shorts with the word "Grizzlies" printed across the back, a bottle of American Coca Cola, American cheese, an "American Apple Pie," a Naval orange, a can of Lindsay olives and a genuine American shirt. "I've had a really good time at ASB and it is totally something I would not have done in Australia," Reed said. "You guys are amazing. I'm going to start crying."

As she brushed away tears, Reed walked around the room hugging every student. "She's so sweet. She always has a smile and never complains about anything – always has a good attitude," Jocelyn Patino, student body president, said. "And she shared so much about Australia with us." Reed said she was excited about going home, but sad to be leaving friends behind. "I've made some really good friends and I will miss them all," she said.

Fortunately, Reed said she can keep up with friends through the Internet's MySpace and with an occasional phone call. "And texting. I have AT&T and I have unlimited texting - even from Australia," she said. Reed said she will also miss her friends and American host family - Rick and Sandy Jones, and her two American siblings, Bree and Austin Jones. "My family was so great. We all got along well. Austin is like a little brother to me and I boss him around like one," Reed said. "But other than the obvious, I think I will miss Starbucks. There is none within 1,000 miles of where I live."

This article appeared in the local US newspaper, the Porterville Recorder and can be found here