Ruatiti exchanged for Wenatchee

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 29, 15 December 1987, Page 10

Ruatiti exchanged for Wenatchee

Wenatchee, Washington is a long, long way from the Ruatiti Valley, home of Rotary exchange pupii Wendy Olds. Wendy was one of 22 chosen from 180 applicants in the Wellington district to take part in a 12 month overseas exchange programme next year. She leaves for the United States on 13 January with a contingent of 80 young people bound for America, Europe and Japan. Seventeen-year old Wendy first applied in March through an 'Interact' Club at St Mary's College in Stratford where she is a pupil. The club is a junior form of Rotary and members work closely with Rotary in the community. Wendy attended a regional interview in Fielding after acceptance of her initial application and appeared before a panel in Wellington for a final assessment, in June. Her original application to Canada was reviewed by the panel and later changed to Washington State. Nevertheless, she is thrilled at the prospect of her first trip overseas. With a population of 60,000, Wenatchee is vastly different from her home town of Raetihi. Wendy will attend Eastmont High School which has a role of 1,500 pupils, compared to her former boarding school which has just 95 pupils. Wendy is an old pupil of Orautoha which had a modest role of nine pupils at one time.

Wendy is keen to pursue a career in criminal psychology when she returns to New Zealand. Winatchee, in the northern regions of the United States has a summer high temperature of around 37 degrees celcius and a winter temperature averaging between minus 17 and minus 26 degrees. Wendy has exchanged letters with her host family who live in central Washington State. Her host family is similar to that of her own, with two younger children and two working parents.

She is an enthusiastic sports person and is keen to utilise the facilities of Mission Ridge Ski Fields, just 20 minutes drive from Winatchee. Wendy will have several opportunities to make eontact with other New Zealand exchange students while in the United States. During their summer vacation, students will take part in a bus tour of the country. Three days sightseeing in and around Las Vegas is also planned before students go to their respective countries.