Each year, the hallways at PHS welcome many new faces. Among the abundance of new students, however, are a select few whose circumstances are just a tad unique. 

This year, Powell High School is fortunate enough to bring in two foreign exchange students who will spend the school year adventuring in our culture. 

“[Sondre] arrived in early August, “ sophomore Gabe Weimer said. “We made a little welcome home poster …and got him a gift basket.” 

Sondre Furuhaugh of Norway and Ange Tirbois of France are delighted to be foreign exchange students in Powell, but they are much more thrilled with all there is to see in the American culture. 

“I am here for the school year,” senior Ange Tirbois said. “While I am here, I want to learn the language and learn more about the people of the country.  And learn the things you do… like Halloween and stuff; we haven’t that in France.” 

While Ange is busy soaking up the sights and experiencing some of the enjoyments of Western civilization, Sondre has jumped right into American culture, playing football for the first time. 

“Football has made every day way more fun,” senior Sondre Furuhaugh said. “Especially going to see other places in Wyoming [through football].”

Some of the most important impacts these students have are on the peers they meet at PHS; some are bonds that will continue even after they leave. 

“[Ange] is the manager [on the cross country team],” sophomore Melissa Merrit said. “It has been fun to go to meets together, even if she isn’t running.”

While the foreign exchange students are indulging their time in Wyoming, none of this would have been made possible without the help of the wonderful host families. 

“My host family is the Merritts, Jeana and Ladel Merritt,” Ange said. “We have a lot of fun together; they are really really nice people.” 

Another blessing that is making their trip here much smoother is the Education First (EF) Exchange Organization, the brains behind getting the students placed in schools and families. 

“I went to seminars with a company called EF Exchange,” Sondre said. “Then a couple of online seminars, and I also had a lot of paperwork to fill out about medical history and stuff.” 

More information can be found on the EF website.