Newsman
08-14-2006, 01:00 AM
Rotary Student Goes to Japan, 8/15
Rotary Exchange Student Alyssha Everitt off to Japan
Alyssha M. Everitt, daughter of Adam and Rachel Everitt of Oxford, is flying to Japan as a Foreign Exchange Student on Tuesday, August 15th. This trip is finally a reality after months of interviews, research, planning, studying, anticipating, and a lot of wishing!
At the beginning of Alysshas junior year at Oxford Academy she and her family applied to the Rotary for her to become an exchange student candidate. In review of her accomplishments the Rotary learned that she was in the National Honor Society for the last two years. During the last three years at Oxford Academy High School Alyssha participated in Chorus, Band, Marching Band, Drama, Honor Society, Literary Magazine, Multi-Cultural Club and Student Government. She was also well traveled having lived in Virginia, Hawaii, and visited Australia and Japan briefly already.
Alyssha received notification that she was accepted by the Oxford Rotary at the end of 2005. Just turning 17 years old in January, she was moved from the junior class to the senior class, after quickly completing her junior courses. She graduated in the class of 2006 from Oxford Academy, a year early, with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and received special distinctions in Language.
As a Foreign Exchange Student, Alyssha will live in and go to school in Japan for one year, staying with three host families. She has been studying the language and customs as Rotary encourages students to assimilate into the country as much as possible. This will not be too difficult as Alyssha is a big fan (otaku) of Japanese animé (animated shows/movies), J-Pop (music) and manga (cartoon novels). She also makes her own sushi, which she learned while she and her family lived in Hawaii.
Alyssha has packed many small American souvenirs (omiyage), such as American flags, buttons, and pins, as it is the custom in Japan to exchange small gifts with friends. Alyssha had to learn that gifts are given and received with both hands, and that there are a few rules about what not to give. (Four gifts or gifts of four pieces are believed to cause (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2209.html) bad luck.)
Alyssha will miss her family, pets and friends in Oxford, but looks forward to this trip with great anticipation. She has already corresponded with her new host family and is excited to meet her two new older sisters. She will be wearing a special jacket adorned with many pins representing Rotary International, America, NY State, Chenango County, Oxford, and her special interests. Her Japanese family will easily identify her wearing this at the airport, and her Far Eastern adventure will begin from there.
(Click on thumbnail photo to enlarge.)
Caption: Alyssha Everitt poses with her special Rotary jacket, which will get covered with more and more pins during her stay in Japan.
Rotary Exchange Student Alyssha Everitt off to Japan
Alyssha M. Everitt, daughter of Adam and Rachel Everitt of Oxford, is flying to Japan as a Foreign Exchange Student on Tuesday, August 15th. This trip is finally a reality after months of interviews, research, planning, studying, anticipating, and a lot of wishing!
At the beginning of Alysshas junior year at Oxford Academy she and her family applied to the Rotary for her to become an exchange student candidate. In review of her accomplishments the Rotary learned that she was in the National Honor Society for the last two years. During the last three years at Oxford Academy High School Alyssha participated in Chorus, Band, Marching Band, Drama, Honor Society, Literary Magazine, Multi-Cultural Club and Student Government. She was also well traveled having lived in Virginia, Hawaii, and visited Australia and Japan briefly already.
Alyssha received notification that she was accepted by the Oxford Rotary at the end of 2005. Just turning 17 years old in January, she was moved from the junior class to the senior class, after quickly completing her junior courses. She graduated in the class of 2006 from Oxford Academy, a year early, with an Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors and received special distinctions in Language.
As a Foreign Exchange Student, Alyssha will live in and go to school in Japan for one year, staying with three host families. She has been studying the language and customs as Rotary encourages students to assimilate into the country as much as possible. This will not be too difficult as Alyssha is a big fan (otaku) of Japanese animé (animated shows/movies), J-Pop (music) and manga (cartoon novels). She also makes her own sushi, which she learned while she and her family lived in Hawaii.
Alyssha has packed many small American souvenirs (omiyage), such as American flags, buttons, and pins, as it is the custom in Japan to exchange small gifts with friends. Alyssha had to learn that gifts are given and received with both hands, and that there are a few rules about what not to give. (Four gifts or gifts of four pieces are believed to cause (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2209.html) bad luck.)
Alyssha will miss her family, pets and friends in Oxford, but looks forward to this trip with great anticipation. She has already corresponded with her new host family and is excited to meet her two new older sisters. She will be wearing a special jacket adorned with many pins representing Rotary International, America, NY State, Chenango County, Oxford, and her special interests. Her Japanese family will easily identify her wearing this at the airport, and her Far Eastern adventure will begin from there.
(Click on thumbnail photo to enlarge.)
Caption: Alyssha Everitt poses with her special Rotary jacket, which will get covered with more and more pins during her stay in Japan.