Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

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1 Bill Lamm hurries back to his truck following his lunch break in an attempt to get to school on time. 2. Getting an opportunity to chat with old friends is one of the many pleasures greeting Lori Waddington after returning home from Finland 3. Open campus enabled seniors, Melissa Tiedje and Angie Burkum, to have lunch at a local restaurant. Duaine Henrickson Mary Hiett Walter Hilkemann Kelly Hinken Hugh Hinrichs Chris Hjorth Mike Hoefler Mary Hoff Holli Hoile JoLynne Holland 28 SENIORS

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Forum popular gathering place for seniors Pat Grudzinski Tamara Grunke Gary Hahlbeck Mitch Housmann Glenn Hansen Keith Hansen Rhonda Hansen Brad Hanson Shely Hart Marla Hartford Wes Hartford

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NHS senior finds Many seniors dreamt of the excitement and adventure awaiting them after graduation, but for Lori Waddington, an NHS senior, her adventure began ten months prior to graduation. In August of her senior year Lori became an exchange student. Ylitornio, a small village in Finland, became Lori's home. She found the villager's lifestyle very much like her own at home in Norfolk. The village was an informal area. The people were very reserved, but friendly. Lori had never studied the Finnish lifestyle and was unprepared for what she might encounter. Before I left I was nervous and scared, but really excited. Most Americans were brought up with a stereotype of foreigners and foreign countries and Lori was no different. Most of the people I talked with told me Finland wasn't as up-to-date as we were. They said there was no electricity or modern conveniences. I read up on it and found it was modern, but I still had my doubts. Upon arriving in her new homeland Lori found the books were accurate, Finland was just as modern as the United States. 1 adventure living Lori's host family, the Nissinens, made her experience a happy one. I felt very close to my host family, especially my 18-year-old 'sister'. Lori stayed with a family of four. Her “father was a forest ranger, her mother was a bank official, and her 19-year-old sister worked for an eye doctor while her other sister attended school. Lori was accepted into the family immediately and soon found she had a lot in common with them. Due to her father having his own plane, Lori saw a great deal of Finland and other nearby countries. Unlike us, the Finnish don't put as much emphasis on material wealth; travel is much more important to them. Lori accompanied her family to Norway, Sweden and through most of Finland. Other than a major generation gap between parents and their children Lori felt the people were very much like Americans. All the people were really friendly, but shy. This meant I had to be more outgoing and approach them first. Once I made the first move they accepted me really well. Due to their reluctance to approach Lori she became known as the 'American Girl' to many. Lori was approached a few times and asked to give a presentation on American life. She found the Finnish to be fairly Americanized, but they were surprised at the lifestyle people led in the U.S., and especially with the amount of clothing Americans own. Although Finland itself was cold they couldn't believe Nebraska received snow. They were amazed with the idea of actually getting snow. Lori's days in Finland were spent in school, as were her days in Norfolk. “I got very little out of school since I did not understand the language that well. I spent a abroad lot of class time writing letters. I did gain some knowledge from the English and French classes. It was strange, the Finnish students knew some English words and phrases I had never heard of. Finnish students could finish their education when they reached ninth grade. The more promising students continued their education for three more years. Students who chose to go on were administered one test at the end of the three years; it covered everything they had learned and was extremely difficult. Their schools are much more difficult than ours since only the better students go on. The language barrier proved to be Lori's most difficult adjustment. I went over without any knowledge of their language and it was really frustrating at first, but I was really amazed at how words sounded somewhat similar. Body language was a big help. Lori overcame the difficulties that went with living in a strange country and gained a great deal from her experience. I feel I gained some insight into people and their personalities. I have also learned to appreciate my own life and the freedom I have in America. The adventure was exciting but there is no place like home. I was so excited to get home, the last few days really dragged. I'm just happy to be back in Norfolk with my family and friends. SENIORS 29