schools
november21
2013
Meet the Exchange Students
Each year Vernonia High School and the
community host a group of Exchange
Students from around the world; this
year Vernonia has welcomed nineteen of
these young people into our communi-
ty. Over the last few months Vernonia’s
Voice has met these students in small
groups and introduced them to you. This
is our final group of Exchange Students
this year.
Ani Danielyan- Ani is a senior from Ar-
menia who is living with the Hayes fam-
ily. This is Ani’s first time ever traveling
outside her home country. She says she
wanted to become an Exchange Student
to “discover a new world,” and to meet
new people. She also says it was a great
opportunity to improve her English. Ani
says Vernonia is “...perfect for me. I
love every single thing here.” Ani says
the people here are very nice, friendly
and caring and says she could live here,
“...for a very long time.” Ani says after
graduation she plans to enter university
in Armenia and study to become a den-
tist.
Chi Ting Lee- “Jean” is from Taiwan
and staying with the Nailon family this
year. A junior, Jean ran cross country
this fall and would like to play basket-
ball in the winter. Jean says she hopes
to learn more about other cultures dur-
ing her year abroad and also hopes to
improve her English. She says she has
found the people of Vernonia to be very
nice and polite and says she enjoys the
clean, fresh air here. Jean says she has
previously traveled to Japan and China
and has visited the United States twice
before, traveling to San Francisco and
11
the equator, and he has been especially an Exchange Student because he wanted
surprised by the changes in the length of to learn about people from other coun-
sunlight each day which they don’t ex- tries; how they work and live. He also
wanted to learn to speak
a second language. Ale-
Paul Lemaron- Paul is a
jandro competed in cross
junior who comes to Ver-
country, but says it was
nonia from Kenya. Paul
mostly to get in shape for
lives with Cathy and Reg-
basketball season, which
gie Ward. Paul says he
is his real love; he has
joined the Exchange Stu-
traveled and competed
dent program because he
on the national basketball
wanted to promote better
team back in Spain. He
understanding between
says he likes small town
people and cultures of the
Vernonia. “The first day
world. “My main goal
I came to town, I thought,
is to help people learn
‘Wow, it is just like in the
more about my culture
movies.’ I think it is the
and help people appreci-
perfect town to represent
ate each other, regardless
Oregon and the United
of their background, their
States. It was just what I
culture, or where they are
was looking for.” Alejan-
from. I want to promote
dro says he loves travel-
peace and make more
ing and says he has visited
friends.” Paul is the Vice
Washington, D.C., New
President of the Junior
York, Miami and Orlando
Class at VHS. He was
Paul Lemaron, Ani Danielyan, Alejandro Rubiera
during two previous trips
the leading runner on the
and Chi Ting Lee
to the U.S. as well as Slo-
boys cross country team
this year and is very proud of the three perience in his home country. “We al- venia, France, Italy, England. Alejandro
medals he won. He was named Athlete ways have twelve hours of sunlight and says he would like to return to Vernonia
of the Month at VHS for September. He twelve hours of darkness.” Paul says for his senior year of high school and
says he would like to try wrestling and he has only traveled to Tanzania, which hopefully earn a scholarship for basket-
is eagerly awaiting the track season in is one country bordering Kenya. Paul ball and attend college in the U.S. He
the spring; he just barely missed quali- says his dream is to return to the United says he would like to study medicine.
fying for the state meet in cross coun- States to study medical engineering and
try and can’t wait to run competitively become a neurosurgeon. He would also
Vernonia’s Voice is
again. Paul says he likes Vernonia (“It like to continue his running career.
is a fantastic place for me to be!”) and
published twice each
he has enjoyed his experiences meeting Alejandro Rubiera-Alejandro comes
month on the 1st and 3rd
people and doing things in a small town. from the north coast of Spain. A junior,
Thursday. Look for our
He says the weather here is very differ- he is living with Kathleen Jackson and
next issue December 5th.
ent from his native Kenya, which is on Stan Zook. Alejandro says he became
Los Angles. Jean says she intends to en-
ter university after high school but is un-
sure what she would like to study.
Light up
our neighborhoods
Second Annual House Decorating Contest
Sign up at the Vernonia Sentry Market
to enter your home in the contest.
Judging to be held on December 6th
Lighbed
Chrisbmas Parade
Sat, December 7
JOIN US! Sbarb of bhe parade will be ab Bridge Sb. & Napa.
The sign-up bable will be in bhe corner of Napa parking lob.
Sbaging for bhe parade will be on Sbabe Sb. and along Bridge Sb.
in fronb of bhe old Grade school as well as bhe parking lob of
bhe old Grade school.
Rules
Prizes donated by West Oregon Electric
1st prize $50 credit
2nd Prize $35 credit
3rd Prize $15 credit
Questions?
Contact Sharon 503-807-0169
or Sandy 503-816-1382
No candy can be bhrown ab bhis parade... ib’s dark oub &
boo dangerous for bhe kids & drivers. All musb have lighbs
bo be enbered in bhe parade. There will be no judging bub
bhe enbry fee will be one new unused boy bhab will
be donabed bo Toy & Joy or non perishable food bhab
will be donabed bo Vernonia Cares. There will be a
Sanba Claus in bhe parade (no obher Sanbas are allowed).
