Jefferson High School - Alexian Yearbook (Alexandria, MN)

Page 27 text:

interesting experiences Above: Kwame’s father, Nicholas Mends, is a cocoa farmer. Below: Kwamc makes a snowball while dressed in his native costume. Above: Mary and her two Brazilian sisters, Chu, and Zinha. Below: Mary’s Brazilian father is sitting in his favorite chair.

Page 26 text:

AFS provided Jefferson was very fortunate in being able to both receive a student from Ghana and to send a student to Brazil during 1972. Mary Morrison, a senior, spent a wonderful summer vacation in Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, Bra- zil. Leaving Alexandria on June 24, she flew to Brazil to meet her new family. She was welcomed by her parents and four new sisters, the Luis Dias family. Luis and his wife, Dinalva both worked even though the family was wealthy. Luis owned both a gas station and a plantation. Dinalva owned a small botique which handled the latest fashions. Her sis- ters, Le, Liga, Chu, and Zinha, all helped to make her to adjust to Brazilian life. It was quite an exper- ience to learn to be an effective member of Brazil- ian society. Although she didn’t want to leave, she came home with many memories and hoping to return to Brazil someday. Stephen Kwamina Mends was our foreign ex- change student for the school year 1971-72. Kwame comes from Kumasi in Ghana, Africa. He has three sisters and three brothers; he is the second son. Swamina's father, Nicholas Mends, is a cocoa beans farmer which are exported to the United States. His mother, Araba, is a housewife and a trader in the Open Market. Kwame was looking forward to the snow and cold weather in Minnesota because in Ghana the temperature only varies from 72 to 85 degrees. However, he really likes the snow and has written home to tell them all about the cold Minne- sota weather. Kwame discovered that Jefferson had his favorite sport: track. He participated in Cross Country and Track, receiving a letter in both sports. Kwame lived with two families in the Alexand- ria area during his year with us. His first seven months were spent with the Walter Salt family. Tom Salt, Kwame’s brother, was a senior at Jefferson. Kwame’s second brother was Rob Aga, a junior at Jefferson. His last six months with the Ere Aga family added to his American experience. Kwame had many different and interesting experiences with his two American families. When July came, Kwame left Alexandria and the United States to return to Ghana and his home. Kwame will always be remem- bered as a fine addition to Jefferson. Above: With unadvisable talent. Kwame opens a pop bottle with his teeth. Below: Kwame was a good student at JHS. 22

Page 28 text:

The Alexian and Ahli Times staffs spent the bet- ter part of the last nine months in an effort to cap- ture student achievements, activities, emotions, and opinions in the media of print. The Alhi Times ex- perienced a year of rebirth and innovation as the image of the paper underwent complete change. Under the leadership of advisor Mr. Carlblom and head editor Carl Schwensohn, the Times developed regular circulation schedules and focused more of its attention on items of current interest or con- troversy. They also included reports of club activi- ties and occasionally featured guest student writers. The Alexian, although unchanged in its format did try to develop new lines of attack in capturing the 1971-72 school year on paper. Under the guidance of Mr. Anderson and a five editoral board, the staff put in long hours of drawing, writing, and creativity in the pursit of the yearbook that truly reflected Jef- ferson student body. Publications portray life at Alexian: Row I: P.Trumm, M.Benesh, J.Bale, M.Morrison, R.McCarten, Row 2: L.Swanson, J.Mateer, L.Amundson, D.Ebensteiner. Row 3: B Johnston, B Warkenthein, B.Ranum, N.Thornton, P.Westby. Row 4: J.Dittberncr, M.Newcomer, J.Swcdberg, J,Morrison. Row5: Mr. Anderson, R.Roth, D.Gaugert. R.Splittgerber. 24