2004 August Newsletter

Columbia Pacific News Letter

AFS PICNIC SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 @ 3:00 P.M.

August 2004

At the home of Garry and Marilyn Hays, 1122 SE Barnes Road, Gresham, OR Phone: 503.665-2830 Host families, students, liaisons, returnees and volunteers Join us in welcoming our great group of AFS students and families! Come meet the Portland Metro AFS Family! Welcome home our American Returnees! Returnees, bring your memory books and photos!! Bring a dish to share, chairs or a blanket to sit on. Beverages, flatware service and fun and games will be provided. Volleyball, Croquet, Frisbee, Horse Shoes and Tetherball Tour the Hays Rose Gardens Winner of the 2004 Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest Shuttle available from Gresham MAX Cleveland Station (East termination) for anyone riding the MAX. RSVP by email to Bernice Schuchardt at [email protected] or call 503.775.4161 By August 22, 2004. (Maps available)

PLEASE NOTE … There was a typo on the flyer that was included in the packets for host families… The date is correct, August 29, but it is Sunday, not Saturday. HOST FAMILY-FINDING --AN ON-GOING , NEVER-ENDING PROCESS Heart felt thanks to everyone who has helped with this year's placements. We're not quite finished. Speak AFS, every chance you get. We would all love to take back our summers and get all our students placed before school is out. Every kid deserves to know where they are coming, who their family will be and have the opportunity to communicate with their new famil before they arrive in their new country. The only way we can achieve this goal (100% placed by June 1) is to take advantage of opportunities all year long. I urge you to invite new families into your life with your hosted student this year. Talk about your experience with church friends and business associates. Leave brochures in your dentist office and speak peace and AFS every chance you get! We hope to have 52 students, 2 FLEX and 3 YES, and 4 Visiting Teachers linked to schools and at least welcome families before this newsletter goes to press. There will still be a need for permanent families in several different districts--Sandy, Beaverton and Hillslboro, Lakeridge; The Dalles; North Clackamas. If you know families anywhere, we need to get their information and cultivate them for replacement families, interim homes and next years host families. This is a continuous mission--promoting peace person by person. This year Columbia Pacific will be hosting 32 girls and 20 boys from Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela. Great diversity and wonderful kids, everyone. Our students are sprinkled through out the area team with Tillamook hosting another 4 students this year; as is Camas-Washougal; Vancouver has outdone themselves with eight students and 1 teacher; Northeast Portland with an amazing 7 students and 1 teacher; Southeast Portland with 5 students and 1 teacher; Sandy/Estacada with four students; Beaverton with 4; 2 students up in Onalaska and the rest sprinkled in Parkrose, David Douglas, Reynolds, Lake Oswego, North Clackamas and West Linn. Thanks to all of you who have worked so tirelessly to get these kids situated! Let's welcome them with open arms at arrivals August 14th! Sally Ann Volunteer Hosting Coordinator

Student News DANIELA TIMON (Italian AFSer – 1978-79) RETURNS AFTER 25 YEARS By Bernice Schuchardt (her host mom) In February of 1978, my husband Lawton and I were skiing at Mt. Hood and met an AFS student from Norway. We were hosting a boy from Costa Rica for 5 weeks on a program called Oregon Partners. This young lady informed us we should be hosting for a year—not for 5 weeks. The following Monday an AFS volunteer was at our door with an application. We completed the application, submitted it, and then questioned what we had done. Many thoughts came to our minds…she is going to find out about all of our faults…she is going find out that I am not the best housekeeper…she is going find out that I yell at and scold my five children…in other words, she is going to find out that we are not a perfect American family.

On July 28, 2004, Daniela TimonConte, returned to Portland, her first visit since she left 25 years ago. I asked her if she could remember her thoughts after she completed her application back in 1978. She laughed and then told me her concerns were very much the same as mine. Accompanying her on this return visit was her husband, Marcello, children, Andrea and Federica; a friend, Paola and her son Luca They spent time with all my children— Linda and Glen took them rafting; Lori and BJ took them to a county fair; Rick and I took them to the beach and to the mountains; and Steve and his wife spent an evening with us. They had dinner one night with Pat and Ron Combs (their AFS student, Davide, lives in the same town as Daniela) and brunch with Garry and Marilyn Hays (Marilyn went to Europe with me in 2001 and we stayed with Daniela and family). I will always be thankful to the Norwegian AFS student who convinced us to host. Daniela graduated in 1979 from Franklin High School, Portland, Oregon.

NOTE FROM A HOST MOM From Scott Hume ([email protected] I would like to share with you a brief note we received from a host mom in Wisconsin who welcomed Nadia from Switzerland last year, and who will host another student this coming year: "My husband, Tim, and I live in Wisconsin. During the 2002-03 school year, we made the important decision to host Nadia, an AFS Exchange Student from Switzerland. This feeling of having made a difference in someone's life in some small way is why we want to be a host family again. Words can't always describe this feeling, but those who have been host parents know what we mean. When Nadia left our family, she presented us with a collage of pictures and a poem that, to this day, bring tears to our eyes. Here is an excerpt that we hope, in some small way, helps to illustrate how Americans can make a contribution to building peace in the world simply by sharing their daily lives with a teenager from another country. Please share this with AFS as you see fit. We would be honored, and so would Nadia." Sincerely, Roxanne Lutgen From Nadia: "Leaving my home was not easy and the first couple of days were endless but as my headache and my sleeping problem faded away the journey could begin and my home was here. So many "first times" I experienced here: My first time flying over Milwaukee. My first time standing on a ski jump fifty meters high. My first time pronouncing 'literature' right. My first Christmas without real candles. My first time skiing on real Wisconsin 'mountains'. My first and only 18th birthday. My first and sadly only, PROM. My first time wearing one of those cool hats at graduation... And every first time was a first time That I wouldn't want to miss for the world."

ATTENTION STUDENTS AND HOST FAMILIES The following are Orientation dates you should put on your calendar. All students are required to attend these orientations: Post-Arrival October 16-17 Mid-Year January 29 Pre-Departure May 21

Outdoor School Counselors Columbia Pacific AFS strongly urges our exchange students to enroll in Leadership Training for Outdoor School. Students who have participated in the past have benefited immensely with new friendships, new leadership skills and that special feeling that comes from being looked up to by younger students. These sixth graders will become an import part of our students' lives. We strongly encourage all students to sign up for Outdoor School in the Fall and in the Spring. Contact your school counselor or high School Outdoor School representatives for details. Do It! "It was the greatest week of my whole year. The younger kids called me "brother" and really looked up to me. I wish all AFS students would do this in the beginning—it changed my life and the way I think about me." "I learned about leadership, how to be organized, how to deal with difficult situations, and I learned a lot about animals because I had to teach it."

AN E-MAIL FROM A FLEX STUDENT Maggie Frieske, FLEX Coordinator, received the following e-mail from Yulia Fabrovska (2003-2004) and is sharing it with us. Yulia lived with the Eure family in S.E. Portland. “Thank you so much for everything that you are doing! It's so unbelievable, time flies so fast! When I remember last August it seemed to be a dream. How could that year go buy so fast? I hope that new students will be as much fun as we were. But we are incomparable, the best of the best, right? :))) I am going to the seaside again in a week, so I'll be enjoying sun, sand and sea soon. Hope, you're having fun too. Love, Julia PS. Tell new students that their exchange year will be fun and that they shouldn't be afraid of anything. They should do all the things they couldn't dare to do at home. And wish them luck too!”

Student News Scream at the Beach to Host AFS Students at 4th Annual Halloween Extravaganza Scream at the Beach screams back for its 4th year as the Northwest’s largest and highest rated Halloween event. Professional “scaremasters” have once again transformed the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter into an original, in-your-face LIVE Halloween experience 36,000 square feet of living horror that continues to set new standards in adult scare entertainment. This year Scream at the Beach is once again opening its doors to AFS students and their host families on Friday, October 22nd for a fun night of thrills. All AFS students will receive free admission to featured attractions and their host families will get two tickets for the price of one. The folks at Scream at the Beach are also interested in sharing the spotlight with students over 16 years old who wish to get some hands-on experience with this uniquely American holiday by taking them in as members of the cast. Cast members are thoroughly trained in weekend rehearsals in September, they may pick the nights they will perform, and all costumes and makeup are provided. See website for details on

being a monster at Scream at the Beach. Guests to Scream at The Beach are thoroughly entertained by themed attractions, live shows, a game and activity zone, tarot card reading sessions, and are served by a Monster Snacks & Souvenirs Shop. The horrifying walk-through attractions include the allnew “Elshoff Manor,” “Alien Invasion,” and “Forbidden Temple.” Also included is a special haunt for “little screamers” hosted by Nigel D. Rat where children too young to venture into the scary attractions are set free to roam throughout a miniature haunted playhouse filled with handson activities and which also includes a coupon good for a ride on the historic carousel in the mall. The featured scary attractions are not recommended for impressionable children. For additional information, please visit www.screamatthebeach.co m. Let the screams begin…again! ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS Entertainment 2005 books are now on sale for $30. They are packed with 50%-off and 2-for-1 offers at the best places in town as well as discount offers from local and national restaurants, hotels and resorts, entertainment venues and much more.

If we sell 10 books or more, we will earn $6.00 per book. The more books we sell, the more we make per book. Books will arrive the week of August 23, 2004. Funds earned on this fundraiser will help us keep down the costs on some of our optional activities. CONTACT: Bernice Schuchardt, 503 775-4161 – e-mail [email protected]. You may order and pre-pay by sending a check to Bernice at 4806 SE Long, Portland, OR 97206. Checks should be made out to AFS. GRAPEFRUIT SALE In late October/November AFS sells grapefruit. The grapefruit costs between $13-15 per box. Delivery is usually the first week in December; deadline for ordering will be in mid-November. Watch for more information in the October issue. If anyone is willing to help with this sale; i.e. take orders, etc., contact Sally Ann Wells at 503 452-1868 or e-mail [email protected]. DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FUNDRAISER?? We need your help. If you have an idea and wish to coordinate the fundraiser, please contact Ron Combs 503 777-8117 or Bernice Schuchardt 503 775-4161. Some of the optional activities that will benefit from these fundraisers are Pendleton Roundup, Jagow Ski Trip, and Ashland Trip.

Student Pic’s

Hosting/Volunteer Page and More Pix VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORMS Volunteer Registration forms can now be submitted either on the website or via email. Individuals do not have to sign the Volunteer Registration Form and send it in regular mail. The form can be completed and sent via the public web page (www.afs.org/usa/volreg), or the form can be downloaded from the site, completed, and emailed to [email protected]. Of course, we will still accept forms via regular mail or fax (1-503-248-4076). DO YOU HAVE A CONTRIBUTION FOR THE NEWSLETTER?? Do you have a story or bit of information for the newsletter? Do you have a student, host family, or volunteer you would like to recognize or an upcoming event. Please submit to Bernice Schuchardt by October 1 for an issue coming out in mid-October. ALICE ANN MORDEN By Bernice Schuchardt

AFS has lost another long-time volunteer. Alice Ann Morden passed away Sunday, August 1. Alice Ann was instrumental in my becoming a volunteer. Back in the early 1980s, I volunteered and shortly after became a District Rep. A few months after I took this volunteer position there was an AFS Conference in Cottage Grove. At that time you had to pay to attend these conferences. I could not afford the Conference, but ended up going as Alice Ann called and

asked me if I would go with her and told me the fee was being taken care of. She drove and I rode with her to Cottage Grove, learning about her history with AFS along the way. In Cottage Grove she introduced me to some of the “higher ups” with AFS and told me of the important role AFS plays in promoting world peace. In later years, as I became more involved, it was Alice Ann who would contact me and say “I was just reading in the newspaper, and there is this family in Sandy... or Northeast... or Southwest Portland who you should call they would make a great host family.” Another time she called and told me I needed to contact the Jagow family as they would make a great host family. I did just that and since then they have hosted several times. They are also the hosts of our Ski Trip each January. Back in those days we also had to charge the kids to attend Camp Adams. She would call and ask it she could help subsidize the amount so they wouldn’t have to pay so much. She also helped kids who couldn’t afford to go on some of the optional activities. She helped with our fundraisers. She would take orders for grapefruit at Terwilliger Plaza and also order Entertainment books. Yes, I and AFS will miss Alice Ann Morden--she was a great lady.” Bernice Schuchardt

Hosting and Student Info. Change People change two ways, with slow persistent pressure, or with a single and sudden traumatic experience...maybe people don’t change completely overnight, but I do believe they can change direction overnight. Facing us in a new direction is the first step of any new journey. Taken from Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen Our exchange students have all been pulled away from everything familiar in their lives, family, friends, language, food, and the basic rules by which everyone operates; all are gone. The student's world changed immediately, when he or she first stepped on the plane. When we first met them, they were bursting with excitement and the nervous tension of facing the unknown world ahead. The family's world changed slowly, through the persistent pressure of adjusting to the new family member. Sometimes the change came slowly and painlessly. Sometimes, with a jolt that hit 10 on the Richter scale. About this time of year, when the excitement wears off and the stress of entering school hits hard, your student will experience what we call “culture shock”. As always, some students suffer more than others.

Symptoms of culture shock • •

Everything is an effort Homesickness coupled with criticism of their host country and community. • Physical symptoms of stress such as headache, stomach ache, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping. • Feeling isolated Handling Culture shock •

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Recognize the symptoms as legitimate conditions that you have not caused and are not responsible for making go away. Provide relief and minimize any additional stress. Discuss culture shock with your student and assure her that it doesn't last forever. Encourage "reaching out" behavior (e.g. establishing more contacts with people outside of the family) Encourage the student to pursue something new; a talent, sport, club, interest or activity.

Ways to help ease distress from culture shock •

Expect periodic withdrawal. Encourage them to interact when they are down. • Expect disagreements between host siblings and the student and assist them in working out their problems rather than imposing a solution of your own.

Be prepared for judgmental remarks. •

Stress that things are very different, not right or wrong. • Encourage extra rest. • Anticipate some tears and accept them without feeling guilty. • Avoid ultimatums. If you feel frustrated, call your liaison. They are here for families, as well as students.

Upcoming Events AFS PICNIC SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 @ 3:00 P.M. At the home of Garry and Marilyn Hays, 1122 SE Barnes Road, Gresham, OR Phone: 503.665-2830 Tour the Hays Rose Gardens Winner of the 2004 Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest A shuttle is available from Gresham MAX Cleveland Station (East termination) for anyone riding the MAX. RSVP by email to Bernice Schuchardt at [email protected] or call 503.775.4161 By August 22, 2004. PENDLETON ROUNDUP – Thursday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 17 The Pendleton Roundup is an optional activity that will take place on Thursday and Friday (Sept. 16 and 17). Although this is an activity that takes our students out of school shortly after school starts, it is a very popular activity that introduces our students to another part of our culture…real live Indians and cowboys. Students will depart from Lents Park in S.E. Portland very early in the morning on Thursday, Sept. 16 and return later afternoon on Friday, Sept. 17. An excuse should be written for them to miss these two days. Students will receive complimentary tickets to the rodeo on Thursday afternoon and to “Happy Canyon Pageant” Thursday evening. This will be a first for many students to meet the cowboys and Indians they have heard about or seen on TV or movies. Friday morning after an early “Cowboy Breakfast,” they will have the morning free to explore downtown Pendleton. Information on this activity will be included in your arrival packet and the Pendleton Roundup Registration form should be submitted before September 6 to Greg Kott, 402 SE

44th Ave., Portland, OR 97215. Phone: 503 771-7977. Cost will be $50. Students will be responsible for paying, since this is an optional activity. Check with your chapter, as they may be able to help with the cost. We will have a limited number of tickets available, and registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

COME JOIN US FOR BOWLING For the past few years, the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) has invited our AFS students, host sibs, families, and volunteers to join them for bowling each month. You do not have to bowl every month; come when you can. League bowling will start on Sunday, November 14th time and place to be announced. Cost $7.50 AFSers are also invited to participate in IOF’s Oregon-Washington Invitational Bowling in Centralia, Washington for traveling trophy. Where: Fairlanes, 1501 South Gold, Centralia, Wash. When: October 2, 2004 Registration: from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon. Bowling starts at 1:00 PM POST ORIENTATION AT CAMP ADAMS – OCTOBER 16-17 This is an orientation that all AFSers, FLEX , and YES students are required to attend. A registration form and information, including a map, was included in the folder host families received at Arrival. Deadline for submitting your registration is: Monday, October 4. Who is invited: Host sibs (12 and over), families, and liaisons. Location: Camp Adams, Colton, Oregon When: Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 16-17) Time: Registration begins at 9 a.m. Fee: A voluntary contribution from families who wish to spend the night will be appreciated to help defray costs.

An orientation session will be held for host families on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. There will also be a training session for liaisons. For more information, contact Bernice Schuchardt, 503 775-4161 or e-mail [email protected].

Scream at the Beach to Host AFS Students at 4th Annual Halloween Extravaganza This year Scream at the Beach is once again opening its doors to AFS students and their host families on Friday, October 22nd for a fun night of thrills. All AFS students will receive free admission to featured attractions and their host families will get two tickets for the price of one.

LELOOSKA FAMILY LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM The Lelooska Family brings to life the masks, stories, songs and dances of the Sewide lineage of the Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl, Pacific Northwest Native American people) in the glimmering firelight of their cedar ceremonial house. Chief Tsungani carries on the traditions of his brother, the late Chief Lelooska, performing with other family members in Ariel, WA, forty miles northeast of Portland, OR Join AFSers (students, host families, liaisons, friends are all welcome) for this living history program on Saturday, November 13, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $7.00 for children 12 and under, and MUST be ordered and paid for in advance. Check out their website at www.Lelooska.org for photos, additional information, directions, and ticket ordering process. Call them at 360-225-9522 to reserve tickets, then promptly mail a payment check and self-addressed stamped envelope to Lelooska Foundation; P.O. Box 526; Ariel, WA 98603. The tickets will be mailed to you. Contact Chris Cradler with questions about the program: [email protected]

AFS COLUMBIA

PACIFIC Bernice Schuchardt 4806 SE Long Portland, OR 97206

SAVE THE TREES AND POSTAGE Want electronic newsletter? E-Mail Bernice at [email protected] Want souvenir/scrapbook hard copy snail mail? E-Mail Ron Combs at [email protected] Check us out for more information and the newsletter on the Columbia-Pacific website: Http://www.afscolpac.org

The Calendar Aug. 29 (Sun) Sept. 16-17 (Thu & Fri.) Optional Oct. 1 (Fri.) Oct. 2 (Sat.) FLEX Oct. 9 (Sat,) Oct. 16-17 (Sat-Sun.) Required Oct. 22 (Fri.) Nov. (?)* Nov. 20 (Sat.) Optional Dec. 4 (Sat.) Dec. (?)* Dec. 30 (Thu.) FLEX Jan. 29 (Sat)* Required Jan. 29-30 Optional

Welcome Picnic at Hays (Contact: Bernice Schuchardt, 503 775-4161) Pendleton Roundup (Contact: Greg Kott, 503 771-7977) Registration form in packet. Registration required. DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER Send Articles to [email protected] Columbia Pacific FLEX Orientation (Contact: Maggie Frieske (503) 6597959) or Claire Floyd (503) 690-3090 Group Leader Training – 10 till noon, 4806 SE Long, Portland, Contact: Bernice Schuchardt 503-775-4171 or [email protected] Fall Orientation at Camp Adams (Contact: Bernice Schuchardt (503 7754161) “SCREAM AT THE BEACH” (Contact: Bernice Schuchardt (503-7754161 or Ron Combs (503 777-8117) Deadline for ordering grapefruit. Chief Lalooska (Contact: Chris Cradler, 503 287-6601) Christmas Party (Eastside) (Contact: Bernice Schuchardt (503 775-4161) Grapefruit Pickup. Helpers needed. (Contact: Sally Ann Wells) TV Station, Court House & lunch at Pioneer Square FLEX, downtown (government/community) (Contact: Maggie Frieske (503) 659-7959) or Claire Floyd (503) 690-3090 Mid-Year Orientation Ski Trip – Early sign-up required. (Complete registration form in packet at orientation) Registration required. (Contact: Greg Kott, 503 771-7977)

* See next newsletter in Oct. for more info.