Maple Valley High School - Mavahian Yearbook (Vermontville, MI)

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Venezuela's Shirley Tovar My name is Shirley Tovar and I have had the honor of being an exchange student at Maple Valley for the 1980-81 school year. My native country is Venezuela. If you'd asked me which one has been the best experience I have enjoyed, I'd have to tell you “everyone. I've known so many beautiful people and places that this has been a completely good experience for me. Vermontville became my home, Maple Valley my school, my American family, my family, and the people my friends. Besides school and family activities, of which I had plenty, I also had the opportu- nity of participating in some community activities. I took clown lessons from the 4-H club and so I could walk along Vermont- ville's streets in the clown troop for the Maple Syrup Festival celebrations. That was my little help to make the festival a success. In November 1980, I had the opportunity of going to the Capitol City of the United States. It was a great experience to walk inside the White House, the Supreme Court, and other such important monuments. Later after school was over, I went to New York City, the place I have always wanted to go to. It was really exciting to look down to the city from the top of the Empire State Building and from the Statue of Liberty. Unforgetable! One of the most important parts of my experience was to become a member of a new family, to share their joy and worries. My American family was really loving toward me and I became the oldest sister of a troop of 5 kids younger than 11 and that is a big change especially if you come from a family where all the children are teenagers, except for a little baby girl. Even though all the good experiences count for me, I believe that the greatest thing that happened to me during my stay in the U.S. was to get to know more about Jesus and to realize how great is His pres- ence in our lives. The last thing I have to say to you is thanks, thank God, my mom, and all of you for making this a wonderful year and when it comes the time to go back home, to my family, my friends, and to everything that means something to me I turn back my memories to my new family, and friends whom I will never forget. Love, Shirley 20

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FFA... Seeking New Florizons Left to Right: Bill Golyir, Ray Puffpaft, Brenda Semrau, Scolt Halsey, Lola Clements, Sieve Gardner, Glenn Arras, John Pomeroy, Dennis Gard- ner, Kim Hosey, Jeff Burger, John Calments, Scott Everett, Mr. Greenwald (advisor), Trixi Robinson, Gary Corman, Amy Youngs, Randy Angus, Kenny Shilton, Angie Crayen, Annette Langer. Lola Clements, Mark Siple, and Brenda Semrau are the FFA officers. Mr. Keith Greenwald was the advisor for the Maple Valley FFA and when asked if he thought the FFA has come very far, he replied: Since I've been here, it's improved quite a lot. There are 44 members in the FFA. They participate in contests such as leadership conference where there are several different categories, a couple are Public Speak- ing, Job Interview, and AG Forum. For money making projects the FFA sells garden seeds and plants 7 acres of com. This is also for the experience of farming. The FFA is also in a state project known as B.O.A.C. (Building our American Community). Through this pro- ject the FFA has improved the beauty of the community. Like planting shrubs and bushes in the local cemetery. Each year in March the FFA sends delegates to M.S.U. for the state convention. Then in the summer the newly elected officers go to what is called Leadership Camp. In the spring the FFA holds an annual banquet, which presents the awards achieved throughout the year. The member's parents are invited, and the community is welcome. The FFA does quite a bit for our school and commu- nity, that we don't know about. Maybe we should give them our support. 19

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Norway's Lene Paulsen Lene Paulsen in a Norwegian costume representing her county of Tele- mark. Maple Valley Leaves Lasting Memories I have enjoyed my stay here at Maple Valley. This year is going to have lasting memories. I want to thank all the teachers I was in touch with for the great help they had given me. My favorite classes were speech and typing. I liked them because I participated in the class, in fact the whole class was active. I like joining activities and being active. By joining the yearbook staff, Spanish Club, Student Council, and track I got my needs pretty much fulfilled. Being in those activities I made close friends, which means much to me. I had the chance to see other parts of the United States also, like Washington D.C., family trips to Canada, Indiana, Illi- nois and last but not least the senior trip to Florida. Everything was great. Another memorable thing was being involved in tapping sap from Maple trees and watching the process of making syrup. That was really something (I love Maple syrup.) This year went by so fast, faster than expected. Some day I would love to come back and visit. Lene Paulsen 21