IN THIS SECTION:

Recognizing Local Coordinators

LC of the Quarter

Terri Rogers
Written by Penny Alexander

Terri Rogers joined Academic Year in America in August 2011 where she graciously opened up her home to two Grant students, one from Pakistan and one from Egypt. After hosting, Terri became a Local Coordinator and dedicated her time to spreading the word and the culture of AYA to people and schools in her reach. She brought an area that had very little contact with foreign exchange students to being one that is welcoming the students with open arms. Terri was later able to conquer the school in her area by getting them to double their quota of students they originally said they'd accept. When a difficult situation presented itself, Terri was there and she immediately jumped right in and was able to re-place four students within two weeks time. Terri is a motivated, dedicated, passionate local coordinator and we are lucky to have her on board.

From the very beginning Terri has been enthusiastic about the program and getting the students in her cluster involved within the community and immersed in American culture. She has done a number of enriching activities with her students, such as volunteering to serve meals, food drives, preparing for an international festival for the Youth Group, participating in an international panel with the Humphrey Scholars from Cornell University and an afternoon of visiting the ARC, the Association for Retarded Citizens where students participated in workshops. Terri likes a challenge and is a wonderful advocate for the students. Terri continues to do an exceptional job and we are very thankful for all of her hard work!

Student Choice Awards...LC of the Month Raffle!

AYA gives its students the opportunity to nominate their LC at any time during their program for recognition and reward as LC of the Month. Students email AYA with their heartwarming nominations, including some wonderful stories about the great things LCs do, the ways LCs make them feel special, and activities they enjoyed. A committee from AYA reviews the submissions each month and selects one winner each month who receives a $50 gift card and mention here on the AYA website.

In June 2011, AYA pooled the names of all LCs of the Month for 2010-11 in a raffle to receive an American Express gift card valued at $500. The winner selected at random was Sue Schriever of Nebraska! Congratulations Susan. Many thanks to all the LCs of the Month and to the many more who do amazing work with AYA students!

LC of the Month

December 2011

Gerri Manlove

I have been here for about five months and I can say that I feel wonderful here! I live with a great host family and have the best local coordinator, Gerri Manlove. The first few days of my stay in the US, I got to stay with my coordinator. In those first days, I learned quickly what a kind and openhearted person Gerri was. I did not expect that I would have such a remarkable coordinator. She treated me very well. Gerri is always very attentive to my feelings and always asks questions, gives suggestions, and tries to help solve any problems. Gerri also likes to joke and laugh with me. I feel like I can be very open with Gerri when asking her for good suggestions. I love my coordinator!
- By Anastasiya Trubytska from Ukraine

January 2012

Tony Barnett

I think that Tony Barnett is a great local coordinator. Tony organizes lots of activities and I have such a great time when I participate. He has many exchange students in his area and is always doing a lot of things with us. At least once a month he has activities that we can join. Some of the activities that we have had are a Potluck where everyone brings food they eat in their country, going to downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, a Christmas party and a white elephant party. Spending time with Tony is always a lot of fun!
- By IIona Maske from Germany

February 2012

Jane Bigler

My local coordinator is Jane Bigler. Since I came to the United States there wasn’t even a month when we didn't meet to do fun things we enjoy together. She is always open for new ideas, ready to help and to support her students. She always tries to make our meetings more interesting even if they are related to the serious things like rules. Our first meeting was in an Italian Restaurant where we both enjoyed the meal and conversation, instead of a four cornered room with discussions that make you sleep. I feel like we are family. Jane is like a friend to me; we joke and laugh together like we have known each other our whole lives. The exchange students will tell her what they would like to do and she never says 'No.' Jane cares for the students she is assigned and has placed as if they are her own. Jane has helped us all get the true American experience! Since being here, my English has improved along with my personality and outlook. I have had such a wonderful experience.
- By Irina Soy from Turkmenistan

LCs of Previous Months

November | October | May | April | March

LCs of Previous Quarters

Brenda Danielowicz | Jennifer Janecek | Mary Payne Hairald | Marilyn Murchie | Sheila Green

Previous Hall of Fame Inductees

2011 | 2010 | 2009

2009 Hall of Fame Inductees

Anita Senesac
Region: Indiana
Years in Services: 11+ Years

Anita Quotables - On cultural activities:
"We took a trip that revolved around the theme of Abraham Lincoln. We started out in our city of Fort Wayne, Indiana by visiting the Lincoln Museum. This is a very hands on museum and since many of the students take U.S. History, it helped bring to life some of the things they learned in class. We then traveled to both Kentucky and Illinois to visit the childhood home of Lincoln and to retrace the route he took when he traveled by train during the year of his election. The students were also able to visit the place where he stood to make his famous Emancipation speech."

Christine Gaffner
Region: Indiana
Years in Services: 4+ Years

Christine Quotables:
"Working with the youth of the world in the AYA, FLEX, and YES Programs has opened eyes all around my region to the fact that we are not the only ones in the world. People in my area, schools, and even my own home have a wider outlook on what is going on in the world today."

Marilyn Murchie
Region: Montana
Years in Services: 2+ Years

Marilyn Quotables:
"The most rewarding community and volunteer service for my students has been spending time with the elderly at the assisted living and nursing homes. Though it was somewhat difficult for some, because they had not experienced being around elderly people before, the students found it to be rewarding as they received expressions of appreciation for doing a variety of things with them such as putting nail polish on the ladies' nails, reading them stories, going for walks, helping them with their meals, sharing with them about their countries, and just being their offering them friendship, kind words and smiles."

Sheri Schuster
Region: Idaho
Years in Services: 8+ Years

Sheri Quotables:
"I always try to be involved in both the Host families and students lives. This can mean supporting them in sports activities, family events or just being a shoulder to lean on when they need encouragement. I always try to give them 100%. I have also tried to be a big part of the Orientations we have for all the students. I have always tried to be a supportive Local Coordinator and friend to all my Regional directors and also the AYA Staff."

Tony Barnett
Region: Washington State
Years in Services: 5+ Years

Tony Quotables - On being inducted:
"I've become known in my area as a person who runs a premiere program and I am starting to get people calling me wanting to be a part of our program. Students and families always comment on how they appreciate the ongoing support and availability and the many activities that we provide for our students and families to participate in."