Ilion High School - Class of 1974

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1973 03142.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Seeking Host Family

By BOB KELDER

ILION - A search for an Ilion family to host a visit next year by a foreign exchange student is now underway, according to officials of the Ilion Chapter, American Field Service Families interested in the project are asked to contact Mrs. Mary Jones, 95 North Third Ave., home selections chairman.

Although the family must reside in the Ilion school district, it need not have children If there are children, they need not be of any certain age. This is a change from a previous rule that required the host youngsters to be high school students.

Mrs. Richard Long, president, Ilion Chapter, said the family selected would provide food and living quarters. The student would arrive early in August and stay until school concludes the-following June. He or she would enroll as a senior.

Mrs. Long said there are many advantages to hosting a foreign exchange student. "People who have done it are enthusiastic." she said. "It gives people a chance to know a different culture."

She added, "Also, it is a challenge to try to interpret America to them so they do not have misconceptions. It can be very interesting."

She noted that the students selected for visits are bright, outgoing young people who must be at least 17 to qualify. The present exchange student is Marco Corcuera, of Peru, who is staying with the William Gamage family, 126 Elm St.

Mrs. Long also reported that contributions are now being accepted toward the $850 fee the local unit pays to the New York City office of American Field Service to pay for the visitors transportation, orientation, and a bus trip at the end of the year.

The student's family also pays toward the expenses, as does the national organization.

The local unit is also raising funds to contribute toward the unrelated Americans Abroad program. Mrs. Long said "Under this project, one or two Ilion high school students visit a foreign country during the summer."

Toward this program, the local unit pays about $850, minus what the students family contributes.