Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 59 text:

American Field Service IAFSJ provided op- portunities for foreign students to get a taste of America and vice versa. AFS club members in- cluded Front row: President Ioan Isensee, AFS students Antonio Figueroa and Misato Muto. Back row: Michelle Hoogendam, Sophie Magnier and Carol Trowbridge. Photo by lim Tomforde. AFS provides foreign students with the chance to experience life and education in America. Senior Antonio Figueroa lChile and Misato Muto Uapanl discuss future plans. Photo by lim Tomforde. 5 Amigos travel south of the border Donde . . . esta el el . .. responsible for the well-being of all bano? The Gringo's Spanish was sporadically recalled. Overcome by culture shock in a malaria in- fested region of Hondurus had not been a pleasant experience for the teenagerg rather, a struggle. Through a youth oriented field project called Amigos de las Americas, two Memorial students were shipped off to Latin America to perform necessary health pro- grams for the needy peasants of poverty stricken barrios. Representing Amigos in Hon- durus were Senior Ioan Isensee and Iunior Todd Thompson. We endured over 150 hours of training and preparations between the months of Ianuary and May before we were given the O.K. to go into the field, said Route Leader Ioan. Training for projects varying from innoculations, dental hy- giene and eye glass prescription to animal husbandry and well and latrine digging was conducted every Thursday night and Satur- day morning from Ianuary through May. Over 10 hours of dedication per week is pretty exhausting: everyone experienced a few men- tal breakdowns, explained Thompson. Ioan traveled to I-Iondurus and served as Route Leader. I was the volunteers in my area, or barrio as they call it, noted Ioan. Well digging was my specialty. I had to take this mini-course in water tables and geology in order to under- stand the whats and hows of wells, said Thompson. Coupled with well digging was latrine digging. These two programs are part of a new experiment. Most disease and sanitation pro- blems stem from the lack of proper sanitation which eventually con- taminates the insufficient water wells which thus affect the poverty stricken individuals, said Thompson. What we're trying to do is correct the root of the problem rather than come in and have to innoculate against the devastating diseases - ineffective in the long run, he supplemented. Ioan was also president of the American Field Service IAFSJ, an in- stitution that exchanges students throughout the world. This year, Memorial hosted Misato Muto from Nagoya, japan and Antonio Figeroa Varas from Valparaiso, Chile, said Ioan. Antonio and Misato both spent the year attending Memorial and ex- periencing the American culture, while Amigos traveled abroad to Latin America for the summer. 3 by Todd Thompson AFS I 55

Page 58 text:

mig Amigos representing Memorial were Iuniors Todd Thompson and Miriam Sera. Thompson traveled to Honduras while Miriam stayed in Houston and organized projects. Photo by Doug Whitehead. P' f S Y Q 4 ibn, -. .. 4 . f f t ' it N I A 'S f. L 'Vs Friends of America, lAmigosl, club members Amigos were also represented by Senior senior Matt Iackson of Lee High School and Laura Goldberg. Laura traveled to Honduras Senior Laura Goldberg practice giving injec- after training for the trip. Photo by Doug tions. Photo by lim Tomforde. Whitehead. Innoculation is one of the programs offered Amigos in South America. Iunior Mairim receives instructions on how to give sl' Photo by lim Tomforde. 54 O Amigos

Page 60 text:

H LL Ally accomplished little although its three membersfofficers planned ambitious ac- tivities. The members were Senior Ann Lutrell, Sponsor Mary Hall and Iunior Iordon Ronn. Photo by jim Tomforde. All , Health Careers aid society Every year three million homeless dogs and cats are born in Houston and the number continues to grow. ALLY, animal loving youth, is a society designed to aid and find homes for these animals. We try to lessen the burden of the humane society, SPCA, and the pound by finding homes for stray animals, said President Iordan Ronn. Presently ALLY has not found many homes for animals. Problems in keeping and feeding them till a home is found hinder their efforts. We had a book sale at Westwood mall and made over S140. We im- mediately donated it to the Humane Society, said Ronn. We only support the Humane Society because they are the only organization that does not kill the animals, said Ronn. Designed to encourage and bring together students interested in health careers, the Health Careers club was formed. We are short of members but I think interested people just do not know about us, stated Sponsor Mrs. Betty Cowan. Mrs. Cowan became the health careers' sponsor after Mrs. Paula Gerald left earlier in the year. ti, Urgently discussing pressing topics about helping needy, helpless animals, two of Ally's three members, Senior Ann Lutrell and Iordon Ronn attend a meeting. Photo by lim Tomforde. The change threw us into a state of confusion, so the club wasn't too active, stated Mrs. Cowan. The club did find time though to take a few field trips to various medical centers. I enjoyed participating in the club, it gives you insight into the medical field, concluded Vice presi- dent Cathy Ortloff. by Amy Bean Dogs and other animals were the object of Ally's affections. Iunior lordon Ronn cuddles on the subjects. Photo by Grant Olbrich. 56 O Ally