James Monroe High School - Echo Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

Page 16 text:

Nina Stevenson I thought that all Americans drove big cars, popped gum, wore levi ' s, that all the girls had pierced ears and everyone went to rock concerts. I came in July 1973 from Sydney, Australia as an AFS student. On my first day in the States I traveled from New York to Washington, D.C. on an Amtrack train—and, never again will I put myself on a non-air- conditioned, standing room only 100° train! I stayed with a family, the Scaifes, in Fredericksburg. I loved the historic element and was entertained by the Mary Washington streakers. I sometimes found it hard living in a small town, where everyone knows your business—but there were some advantages. The faces around you became familiar and people were very friendly. I learnt that most Americans do drive big cars. There is a lot more school spirit in your schools and I found it an experience to sit on bleachers and observe an American football game. I received a valuable background in American History, Government and Sociology—subjects I would never have had the opportunity to have taken if I were in Australia. Few people in Australia have the added luxuries of dish washers, clothes dryers and garbage disposals, and a second or perhaps third car. I learnt a new way to flush a toilet—we usually pull the chain. I’m leaving in June and hoping that people no longer think every Australian has a pet kangaroo or koala bear. Yes, we speak English and no, not everyone lives in the outback or on a farm with a rabbit problem! It ' s very hard for me to realize that I must leave the States and all the friends I ' ve made. I ' m sure I ' ll come back again, but until then—come visit me. Cooeee diggers! (See you!) 12

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1st row: Susan Scaife, Nina Stevenson,Jacque Mason, Susan Gregory; 2nd row: Paula Wells, Brenda Rhea, Elizabeth Miller, Nancy Dawson. Twenty two students attend AFS weekend Nina Stevenson dreaming in government class— perhaps about her homeland, Australia. Jacque Mason displays her souvenirs from her summer trip to Germany with the AFS program, while Carol Stehl, another world traveler, looks on. American Field Service is devoted to exposing students through an exchange program to different countries and cultures. The club at school consists of past AFSers, future AFSers, host sis¬ ters and brothers to AFSers, and other people interested in get¬ ting involved with the fun. Money has been a problem to the AFS Club this year. The school pays for much of the foreign student’s school items. The com¬ munity must pay to have a student come to James Monroe. To try to remedy this problem, members of the club contributed to a bake sale for the Fredericksburg Chapter. Nina Stevenson, the AFS student, and her host sister, Susan Scaife, worked diligently to present an AFS weekend for Virginia AFS students. This weekend helped to bring JM students in con¬ tact with other foreign students. The first of its kind in Freder¬ icksburg, the AFS weekend was an enriching experience and an overwhelming success.

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Future Teachers question, respond to student teachers The Future Teachers of America made a big switch in 1974. They be¬ came Student Action for Education. The small JM club hoped that the new name would entice new members to join the club. On a local level, the name change had little effect on purposes, membership, and pro¬ jects. President Donna Mitchell attributed the initial lack of response to transition on the state level as well as local. For American Education Week the SAE’ers delighted the faculty mem¬ bers by bringing homemade cookies to the teacher’s lounge. Programs included a student teacher panel as well as a discussion by a primary school teacher. 1st row: Susan Scaife, Cathy Powell, Janet Beasley; 2nd row: Susan Hearne, Nina Stevenson, Martha Scott, Raylene Decatur, Mrs. May Jane Tillman, Angela Ryan, Donna Kennon, Mrs. Lu Cralle, Janice Terrell, Joanne Wheeler. 13