Today’s meeting topic is Suzanne’s recounting of her year as our International Exchange Student Attending Half Moon Bay High School while living with Rotarian families, John and Larkin Evans, Dianne Bobko, and Liz Schuck and Teri Pickle. We were greeted with Liz’s special cupcakes, each decorated with a French & US flag
Suzanne’s "Year in Half Moon Bay" presented as a narrated chronological slide show and the essence of it was in the lively and sincere delivery, a joy to behold. She said she cried for the first three days but knew she had to make the best of it so joined the tennis team to meet friends fast although she had never played. She rose to it!
She arrived on August 10th last year and returns to her home in the Northern France tomorrow June 21st. She stayed mostly with John and Larkin Evans, then Dianne Bobko from late March to late May and then to stay with Liz Schuck and Terri Pickle until she leaves tomorrow.
She recalled early on attending her first High School football game which she declared “So Cool!” - that and a hundred and one other exclamations in her enthusiastic, exuberant delivery made hers a presentation to remember and savor.. Then there was Lobster Fest; ”I had Lobster” she said with an angelic grimace (she doesn't eat fish). Working the Clam Chowder Booth was a big adventure with her best friend Jackie. Then came Homecoming and the “Crazy” Spirit week with its Queens, Spirit and all. Next was introduction to “Trick-or-Treat”…as Taylor Swift. Then the novelty of Thanksgiving “OMG!!” At Kira’s house. “OMG, the Turkey was so gigantic, and so good!”. She related that she made croissants giving us a 1000 watt smile and saying “I Can Bake!”
She Kira and Jackie went to a hockey game…another first. She had two root canals and recouped with Chick-A-Fill. At Christmas John took her to a tree farm to select the tree then they decorated it. A ski trip to Tahoe with a friend from school and her family where she skied “the kid’s thing” and took it easy, with “lots of falls” She watched the Super Bowl…and was “so sad to lose” There was more baking including a gingerbread house…”which fell down” :-(
Her Friday Night Live group, a non drinking group of peers from school, went Ice Skating among many get togethers March and April was Beauty and the Beast…”FUN but lots of work” rehearsing until 9PM but she became “Super Famous with Lots of Fans” (delivered with 2000 watt smile) And a HAWAII trip for International Exchange Students she feared was too expensive but her mother exhorted her to GO! Because she may not be that close again. So she went and reports that it was “ The Best Thing Ever!” 60 of them vacation together on Oahu based near Waikiki. She discovered Shave Ice which she declared “Soooo Good” The water was so warm and beaches so nice, she saw dozens of dolphins! Diamond Head was her favorite. She went Surfing and stood up on the board thinking: “I’m gonna die falling - In A Good Way” (?)
In mid-March there was a trip to Los Angeles with Kira and Kirs'a friend which was a fulfillment of a Childhood Dream, La La Land is her favorite film! She visited Warner Studios, Sunset Beach, Malibu, Griffith Observatory (from LaLa Land) with its beautiful view at sunset and after…”it living up to the dream!”
Suzanne’s parents visited from France in April. they toured Monterey, Pacific Grove and Cannery Row together. They went to San Francisco with John and Larkin for tourist stuff. Visited Alcatraz by night and took her parents to In-And-Out Burger. Dianne Bobko who was her host family mom at that time had a potluck dinner at her home with John and Larkin, and Liz and Teri to welcome Suzannes' parents. Her parents then visited friends in Riverside. When they came back all of the group had dinner at Sam's before her parents returned to France.
She baked real French croissants at Dianne's and other great meals and special food with a friend who was in the High School Jazz Band. She was awarded a special Scholar Athlete award on Awards Night at the High School for her 4.0 grade point while playing on the tennis team back in the Fall. Then came the Senior Prom at the Coconut Grove in Santa Cruz. Great experience with friends and dressing up - good food/worst DJ! She attended District Conference in Reno with Mitone Griffith and lots of other Exchenge Strudents…and Gordon MacNally!
The last weekend in May she moved from Dianne's to Liz and Teri's where she cooked a wonderful meal of Beef Bourgeon which took from 5 to midnight to cook! And she baked more croissants for Liz and Teri and went to a French Baguette baking class.
Graduation was June 6th but she wasn't going to be able walk because she wasn’t really graduating, with her 4.0 GPA. She asked Liz if it were true she couldn’t walk, and Liz found the policy had changed a couple of years ago so she got to participate! That was followed by Grad Night which was a blast from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. And she was a raffle winner on 15 bags!
She made a friends with another exchange student from Japan staying in Salinas and they wanted to do something together before they went their ways so Liz and Teri took her to Santa Cruz. She was scared by the rides but went on them for a THRILL!
Her last trip was to Yosemite! John and Larkin, whose sister lives up there, offered to take her. They had lunch with Larkin’s sister whose husband made a sandwich with his croissant - which she characterized as “Croissant Massacre” They visited the amazing waterfalls and beautiful Ahwahnee Lodge! In the Valley she had a small world experience - meeting a friend from Brazil, Luanne.
Q&A:
Favorite thing was In-And- Out Burgers.
She took a French Baking Class and loved it “I’m French!”
Visiting Filoli with Dianne in the Spring was the BEST!
Went to Johnny’s Cafe…it was “Good Fun!”
You have a Wonderful Spirit, Don’t Lose it! - Irwin Cohen
Her parents are hosting a student from New Zealand this summer and hopefully joining Kira at an Exchange Event in Italy too. Jackie will be visiting her in France at her home for a couple of weeks in July. She is going home to vote in France!
What are her career thoughts? “TBD”. She has lots of enthusiasm and will do well whatever! She says “Always Try” your learn from bad experiences. Words of wisdom? “Try New Stuff, Meet New People”
She wore her Pin and Memorabilia Jacket adorned with ever so many pins, souvenirs and trinkets of all her great experiences.
Her last words “I am so International!”
She was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow from the Club to begin her career in Interact, Rotoact and Rotary Membership.
CLUB MEETING - JUNE 20, 2024
President Liz called our meeting to order
President Liz awarded a certificate to John and Larkin Evans for supporting Suzanne and the program. (The other Rotarian families who opened their homes to Suzanne and supported her this year were honored last week.)
Visitors and Guests Mike Osborne, Doug Mallen, Anita (friend of Teri and Liz) and Teri Pickle.
Suzanne had a special guest Kira of the Redwood City Rotary Club (originally from Texas). She is a Youth Exchange supporter and resource for inbound and out bound students. She took Suzanne on several special outing including a wonderful visit to LA.
Announcements
Kevin O'Brien solicited quality wine donations for the Wine Pull for September 7th
Irwin Cohen pitched participation in the Fourth of July Parade.
Relay for Life Fund Raiser will be this afternoon for the event on July 13th in Pacifica.
Remember the Debunking on Wednesday June 26th, 6PM at Odd Fellows
Happy News
Irwin Cohen notes his 40 years of marriage to Nancy Wolfberg, met in Hunter College
Closing Remarks
Liz ended with the inspirational words: "Teamwork makes the Dream Work!"
Foundatoin Board announced that the Magic of the Coasatside Lobsterfest beneficiaries are special projects submitted in the proposals received after the RFP that was sent to all non-profits on the Coastside. The two specific projects that were chosen by the Board were from the Boys & Girls Club and Sea Hugger Organization. More information about each of the projects will be made available later.
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