May 13th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

 

            The Allegany County Public School System played host to four American Field Service students during the 2014-2015 school year, and these four students, along with their host families, were honored at the May business meeting of the Board of Education. 

            AFS, a worldwide, nonprofit organization, has been leading international high school exchange for more than 65 years.  Each year, AFS-USA sends approximately 1,000 U.S. students abroad, provides $3 million in scholarships and financial aid, and welcomes 2,300 international high school students who come to study in U.S. high schools and live with host families.  More than 5,000 volunteers in the U.S. make the work of AFS possible.

            AFS came to Allegany County in 1963.  A network of local volunteers as well as AFS professional staff supports the students and their host families.  This year, three of the four high school exchange students attended Mountain Ridge High School and one attended Allegany High School.

            The following students and host families were recognized:  (Mountain Ridge AFS students) Federico Visintini (Italy), hosted by Mike and Abby Lewis; Vildam Cakir (Turkey), hosted by Brian and Page Bowers; Colas Barrellon (France), hosted by Mark and Nancy Castro; (Allegany AFS student) Lu Yu (China), hosted by Rick and Debra Metheny. 

            In 2013, Mountain Ridge High School received the “Top AFS School” award from the AFS-USA.  Schools honored with this inaugural award have partnered with AFS in a variety of ways to foster global citizenship through intercultural learning both inside and outside of the classroom.    Local AFS volunteers are currently recruiting host families for the upcoming school year.  For more information, call 301-687-0644 or visit www.afsusa.org.