In Chicago Grethel and her fellow travelers visited Rotary International Headquarters, hobnobbed with the RI president, toured the building, and gained an even higher appreciation of Rotary goals and ideals. “New York City was crazy; we spent three days there, and Times Square was amazing at night... so many people!” she noted.Rotary Exchange Students stayed with host families throughout the nation, and in Boston, “All 54 students from 27 different countries painted our faces for the 4th of July” celebration, reflecting their affection for America. “D.C. and Boston were my favorite cities,” rich with vibrant history.Grethel said that “very special people” she’ll remember from her American experience are her counselor, Pat Zwagerman, sponsor family Past District Governor Jan Lindsay and his wife, Santa Paula Rotarian wife Pam, and Lani and Ben Schuck of the Fillmore Rotary. “I’m very happy I came, and I hope the fellowship” between the Santa Paula and Nicaragua Rotary clubs - and the nations - continues to grow.“When Grethel was gone she emailed and said she wanted to take home an American flag,” said Pam Lindsay a noted quilter. Lindsay presented Grethel - who was teary-eyed as she tried to say goodbye to her Rotary friends - with an American flag quilt.After President Mitch Stone gifted Grethel with a Club Flag, Rotarians gave her a rousing round of affectionate applause for being what she is... a young person with loads of heart and proven potential.
SP Rotary Exchange Student Grethel on her way back to Nicaragua
August 10, 2007
Santa Paula News
She traveled the country and saw the major sights, graduated 10th in her class at Santa Paula High School, and now Rotary Exchange Student Grethel Altamirano is on her way back to Nicaragua.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesShe traveled the country and saw the major sights, graduated 10th in her class at Santa Paula High School, and now Rotary Exchange Student Grethel Altamirano is on her way back to Nicaragua. Grethel updated Santa Paulan Rotarians on her year in America, and her adventures and appreciation of the friendship and help she received, at a recent meeting.She met other exchange students at a Lake Elsinore camp, and “We became friends, although not all spoke the same language.” At the Rotary District Conference, Grethel interacted with leaders that demonstrated Rotary’s devotion to making a better, peaceful world.From a weekend at Huntington Beach to a ski weekend to Washington, D.C. and back, Grethel said she not only made friends but also sharpened her leadership skills. “The Rotary Interact Club was such a good experience for me,” and Grethel said other members - also SPHS students - enjoyed “many activities,” including helping with the Rotary Christmas Basket and Stocking programs and participating in Relay for Life, among others. “We raised $700 for Relay for Life” in the first year that Interact had its own team formed to support the American Cancer Society fundraiser.Grethel’s one-month train tour with other exchange students was partially funded by her talents as a chef, making traditional Nicaraguan favorites for club members and others, as well as a club donation. The trip made 14 major stops, including Seattle and across the nation to New York, Washington, Boston and New Orleans.
