Guymon High School - El Tigre Yearbook (Guymon, OK)

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DORA VILLARREAL CHIP WALLACE JEANNA WATSON MIKE WATSON BETH WEBB TY WELLS KIM WEST NANCY WHEELER

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 DEBBIE ROBERTS REEDSCHMELING TINA SCOTT JOHN SHAFFER MARK SHAFFER MATT SINGLETERRY TRICIA SKAGGS GARY SMITH JASON SMITH RONNIE SMITH GLENN SOUTH DARREN SOWELL CHRIS STAVIG VICKI JO STEPHENS CINDY STODGHILL SHERI STONE TRAVIS STUMP LANCE SWANSON SHELLEY TAYLOR REBECCA TOMLINSON 27

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EXEflflNGE STUDENT FRflNEDISE DIDIER I would like to introduce myself for the people who don't know me yet: I am Francoise Didier and I come from a small country, not bigger than the state of Maryland (about 120 miles north and south and 140 miles east and west). This small European country is called Belgium. It's divided in two parts which speak two dif- ferent languages. One half speaks Dutch (or Netherlands language) and the other half French. I live in the French speaking part at about seventeen miles from the capital, Bruxelles. Many of you have asked how did I arrive here. I didn't choose it at all, but I am glad to be here with you. I came here with an organization called YES (Youth Exchange Service), who tried to find for me the family who would fit the best with me and my in- terests. In November 1985 I applied to become an exchange stu- dent in the USA. Finally, on June 13th, I received a letter saying that the Stephens family (Tom, Phyllis, Diane, Vicki Jo and Tamra Kay) would be happy to take care of me for a whole year. I couldn't believe it. This letter made me happy but scared me at the same time. The twenty-second of August, 1986, I had to prepare myself for a very exciting but long and tiring day; it was the departure for the big adventure. After I had been traveling for twenty-one hours on several airplanes, I met for the first time my new host family in Amarillo. It was a very exciting moment although quite embarrass- ing, too, because we didn't know each other. I hardly could realize that my dreams had come true ... I was in America ... I love my new host family. They are so nice and sweet, and they take really good care of me. They don't give me time to be bored of Cuymon life or to be homesick. I would like to thank them very much. Life here is quite different than the one I had in Belgium. I have tried a lot of new things like piano, golf, fair, 4-H and living on a farm. But there are some other differences between both coun- tries, for example, the scenery and the climate. Here there are fewer trees and much less water. The people are so excited when it's raining here, while I think it's quite normal. Everything gives an impression of being huge. The people here seem to be much more friendly. The school system also differs. I think that it's much easier — only six different subjects instead of eleven, easier tests, and less homework. The contacts with the teachers are often more relaxed. There are several things I enjoy better at school here and that we don't have in Belgium, such as extracurricular activities like Medical Careers and French Club. We just go to school for learning and studying and not for extra activities or pleasure. We don't have any school team sports. If we want to practice a sport, it's not with the school but with a special sports club. I admire your school spirit. The beautiful cheerleaders and pep rallies are new for me. I have also enjoyed my first experience with the school yearbook. Being on the yearbook staff goes along well with one of my aspirations, which is photography. I look for- ward to a new experience at the end of the year — the prom and graduation ceremony. I enjoy my experience and encourage others who are interested in becoming an exchange student because it's worthwhile for yourself and your personality. You have to learn to deal with new situations. You meet a lot of new and interesting people and you learn about a new culture. It's very interesting. My sister, Anne, (20) was also an exchange student two years ago 70 miles north of New York. But I am sure that we will have very different views about the USA. Finally, I would like to thank all my friends, teachers and new family for letting me become a part of your society.