Stockton High School - Blackhawk Yearbook (Stockton, IL)

Page 13 text:

So many times during this year I have been asked by curious Swedes how much I knew about Sweden before I arrived. And I, I look down at my feet and say, “Well, ... I knew that Stockholm was the capital. The other things I “knew” amounted to rumor, generalizations and prejudices. They could be summed up like this: Sweden consists of steel, sin, socialism, sex, and smorgasbord. There are sixteen American Field Service students in Sweden this year. We sailed from New York to Rotterdam, Holland on the MS SEVEN SEAS, traveled through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and arrived in Sweden on the morning of July 8, 1964. There were approximately thirty summer-programers in Sweden who went directly to their families, but we year students spent one month in a language camp, at a summer resort just outside of Stockholm, before we joined our families. I’m living with the Harry Salomonsson family here in Amal which is a town of 10,000 in Sweden’s LANDSKAP, Dalsland. The town is situated by Lake Vanern, the largest lake in Sweden and probably one of the most beautiful in the world. My family includes Mamma and Pappa, Eva (17), Per (14), Karin (10), and Lasse (5). Pappa is director over Sweden's railroad maintenance yards. I think too often the importance and the huge role a family plays to make a successful AFS year is overlooked. The community sees the AFS'er only from a distance, admires him as a spark of internationalism in a dull, everyday town, and considers him the jewel in their crown. But the family lives the daily, up and down, wash-the-dishes, where's my pajamas, shut-off-the-television-and-do-your-homework existence with an AFS'er. They find out quickly that this isn't any superhuman being, but someone who is just as sloppy and just as irrational as their own teenager. My family has taken me to their hearts, and I can't begin to explain how lost I would have been without them. School here in Sweden is very different from that in the States. I can't explain it because the system is complicated and is, at present, in the process of changing. I am in the second ring of the gymnasium in the language line. Most of the students are 18 and 19; only a few are 17 or 20. They study Swedish literature, history, geography, German, French, English, Spanish, religion, and they also have physical education, music, and one class a week of chemistry. I have the same courses with the exception of German. Needless to say it isn't easy, but at least I can say THAT now; in the beginning it was simply impossible. I worked on learning Swedish night and day the first semester, and now at the beginning of the second, I can see that all the “blood, sweat, and tears, have paid off ... I am now able to compete with the Swedish students. Not too long ago we sixteen Americans met at the annual Swedish AFS meeting. We were able to look back on our original conception of Sweden and laugh. Those five s's I mentioned before we classified as nothing but exasperated misunderstandings. For that is what they are, and they are what every country in the world persists upon inflicting on other countries. It is easy to speak of “countries and to place the blame on them because that way it is impersonal, and no one person feels the direct pressure of responsi- bility. That is just the trouble - nobody does. Sweden may be one of the smaller countries in the world, and a few misunderstandings about its customs and attitudes aren't going to result in any serious uproar. But there are nations in which this lack of understanding and these prejudices are multiplied many times over, and there is a crying need for people who feel a sense of responsibility toward achieving world peace. Ann Thomas Ann's Swedish brothers and sis- ters: Eva, 17; Per, 15; Karin, 10; Lars, 6. 9

Page 12 text:

rt'pS Stoc6to v “Walk together, talk together, O ye people of the earth. Then and only then shall ye have peace!’ These words from the Sanskrit which head all official communications from the New York head- quarters of American Field Service express the underlying philosophy of this student exchange program. Stockton took them to heart with the formation of its local chapter three years ago, and that which began as a Student Council project has become the proud achievement of the interest and efforts of school and community combined. Winie de Veyra of the Philippines, our first foreign student, and Sabra Raza of India, AFS 1963-64, have returned to their homelands, equipped with the true image of the American way of life as they knew it in the homes of a typical American community. This year Michel Finet of France has shared the rich culture of his country with us while he acquires a more realistic impression of America in the midst of his gracious host family, the Harold Nagels. We, too, need to grow in understanding of others, and we took the initial step, on the basis of Americans Abroad program of AFS, when Dick Neebel was selected to spend the summer of 1963 in the Netherlands. Our horizons have widened when Ann Thomas was chosen for the full school year program abroad for 1964-65 and was sent to Sweden. Stockton is ever-confident, so we look hopefully to term’s end to learn if any of the present candidates for Americans Abroad is a finalist: Tom Nagel has applied for the summer program, Mardi Buford and Peggy Clark for the year of study. A faithful, hard-working board of officers in AFS is responsible for the planning, the promotion, the paperwork that has proven AFS in Stockton to be an effective organization. Mrs. E. S. Bosdorf serves as president; Mr. P. James Creagen and Mr. O. F. Arnold as financial chairmen; Mrs. Lyle Rachuy as home and student chairman; Mrs. Omer Neebel as school adviser; Mrs. H. C. Feltmeyer and Mrs. Edmund Thomas, publicity. For the year ahead, Mr. Pierre Sovey will serve as treasurer with Mr. Arnold; Mrs. Alvin Ploeger as home and student chairman; Mr. Henry Ezel as school adviser; Mrs. Ralph Hanson on publicity. The assistance of an enthusiastic group at school, the AFS Club, and of interested friends and chapter members has made all of Stockton realize through the American Field Service Student Exchange program that people, world-over, share more likenesses than differences, and that understanding comes through knowing each other. Mardi Buford, Tom Nagel, Peggy Clark 8

Page 14 text:

SaJwcL “r o Ke 7o- vtditL Sabra introducing a chief guest at a basketball game. The girls play in open-air and by our boys rules. “Namastey,” That’s the way we greet friends in India. Remember, I demonstrated it in almost all the talks I gave. You join your hands in front of you, as if in prayer, and give a gentle nod of the head and say, “Namastey.” Stockton is going French these days. I envy Mike but actually 1 shouldn’t; 1 had my share of it and I should be satisfied. 1 bet it was difficult for Stockton to make a sharp turn from thinking Indian to thinking French. Well, it was the same for me. In the unbelievably short time of 16 hours, I had to begin thinking Indian from thinking American. I can tell you it did take me some time to get re-adjusted. But I’m fine now and fitting in so comfortably in everything (clothes included) that I almost wonder whether I even went to America. But, of course, I did. Your frequent letters, the ••ARROWHEAD,” the STOCKTON HERALD help to keep every memory of that memorable year fresh. I love receiving letters from everyone and especially Stocktonitcs. Now to give a brief run down on the past months. To commence at the commencement: The bus trip in the States was a really enjoyable one—the World’s Fair, lobsters in Maine (I got quite scared of the broiled lobster I ate because the eyes seemed to stare at me from the head which was the center piece of the dish,) the rough Maine beach, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Washington, D.C. I took fifteen rolls of photographs and they have turned out pretty good. I reached Bombay on the 24th of July at 1:10 a.m. Ammi and Papa were there to receive me; quite unexpectedly because Suratgark is not far away from Bombay. After a little rest at Bombay, 1 reached college via New Delhi on the 30th of July. I was already fifteen days late, so I just plunged into a whirlwind of activity. I gave a few talks to different classes and have also given two talks at a popular club so as to get an AFS chapter started. We have done pretty well so far. Another AFS returnee and I have selected six families for this Americans Abroad program. I have my doubts about the AFS winter programs being carried on in India yet, but perhaps we will be able to carry the American Abroad part of it. We had three weeks for Christmas holidays this time which none of us really enjoyed, because we usually get 1 1 2 months holidays every Christmas. Nice, isn’t it! This semester is even more full of activity, because it is the final semester and the teachers and students arc all nervous about finishing up the prescribed course for each class. But political science teacher is so nervous, I wonder how she has the heart to let us off after her period or get a wink of sleep at night. We, being juniors, gave our seniors a farewell social. The theme of it was “Aloha.” We had palms and banana leaves and garlands of bright paper flowers to greet our guests. The last tune played by the orchestra was “Aloha” and our seniors were rather overcome. We gave our customary parting presents to each senior as well as special presents to the prefects and secretaries of the different clubs. I was very busy with the whole affair. By the way, this actually took place on the 28th of February. The last exciting day up to date was the 4th of March, that was yesterday, we finished our final Psychology practical. It was such a relief that this letter is a really spontaneous production. By practical examination, I mean, we had to perform certain psycholo- gical experiments and had an oral exam based on them. 1 liked my experiment and oral test very much. I hope I get a good grade. Now we have to begin to study hard again for the theory exams which begin on the 22nd of March. 1 don’t know when they end because we don’t have our time table yet. Besides all the studies 1 have also been busy with games. 1 joined this all India hockey tournament as a Uttar Pardcsh player. The tournament is an interstate one. I’m sending a picture of our team. Let’s see if you recognize me. I hope I haven’t taken up more than the allotted space in the annual. So bye everyone. Help me keep those memories fresh by dropping a line whenever you can. I know I am a bad correspondent, but I’ll try and turn over a new leaf. Your real live Indian, Sabra At the Bhapal Hockey National Tournament, a mixed group of both the Gujrat state team and U.P. state team. Coaches on the ends. 10