46 June 20 - July 3, 2009
Youth
www.SanTanSun.com
Teens to create library ‘zine Foreign exchange students
With teens as the authors, artists and photographers, the Maricopa County
lack host homes
Library District’s Teen Zine publishes its first issue in two years this fall. The
magazine will be available in the district’s libraries and on its teen web page.
At a time when families are cutting back on things such as vacations and eating
Individuals between the ages of 12 and 18 are eligible to submit entries before
out, taking in another mouth to feed may seem like a luxury they simply can’t
the Sun., July 26 deadline. All entries must be accompanied by a fully completed afford.
entry form and release form.
Local nonprofit organizations are struggling to find host families in Southern
Workshops are conducted in select district libraries for teens who want help
Chandler and elsewhere in the Valley for the dozens of international high school
completing their original work for submission. Attendees learn how to blend
exchange students who arrive each August to study in the U.S.
art and text on their individual entries through doodles, collages, stenciling and
Vista Dorado resident Natalie Whitlock, also field director for Education, Travel
other creative layout methods, and can participate in the design and layout of the
publication.
and Culture, says the scene is much different than in previous years. For example,
Maricopa County Library District libraries in the SanTan Sun area include
last year Whitlock matched more than a dozen students with Chandler families. To
Perry Branch and Southeast Regional Branch in Gilbert, and Robson Branch in
date, only five families have been secured for the upcoming school year. Whitlock
Sun Lakes. Visit www.mcldaz.org and click the “teen” icon to learn how to submit
is left scrambling to find families for students who have been accepted into the
pieces for publication and where and when the workshops are held. prestigious program -- and who expect to board planes in the next few weeks.
Whitlock has heard the gamut of explanations:
“I’m not sure about my job.”
Writing pays for HS students
“We might not stay in this house.”
“Call us next year and we’ll see how things go.”
By showcasing their creative writing talent in a Chandler-Gilbert Community
“People are uncertain about the economy,” says Whitlock. “I can understand
College competition, four area students won a scholarship to the school and a
why some people are opting out until the economy improves. But these kids are
spot in a creative writing class instructed by Patrick Finn, an accomplished fiction
author.
coming! One way or another, they still have to have families.”
Aaron Tenny, Nicholas Vera and Nikolas Huston of Hamilton High School and
Currently, Whitlock is seeking homes for students from Norway, Sweden,
Carlos A. Lara of Corona del Sol High School, were recognized at the college’s
Germany, China, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and Mexico. All students have
student awards banquet.
conversational English, are excellent students, and come with their own insurance
Tenny was chosen for his poem, “Death of War,” about the peace for which each and spending money.
soldier in battle longs. Vera’s short story, “Snapshot,” weaves the past and present
Whitlock says that families may be surprised to learn the true cost of hosting.
of a character’s bittersweet memories of a childhood friendship. Huston’s “Contact
“Hosts are expected to feed their students and give them a place to sleep. That’s
to Reality” is an experimentally philosophical narrative grounded in a series of
about it.” Students come with their own spending money for school fees, clothing,
existential telephone dialogues. Lara’s winning short story, “Prologue,” follows the
entertainment, and all other expenses.
aftermath of a futuristic battle through the eyes of a reluctantly victorious agent
who finds that victory soon leads to her own path of doom.
“Hosting costs less per day than a fast-food combo meal or a fancy cup of
Finn says the purpose of the writing contest is to recognize the imaginative literary
coffee. And what’s the cost of all you get back from hosting? Like the infamous
talent of young writers and to encourage their continued artistic development.
commercials say -- priceless.”
He launched the college’s creative writing program in 2007. His first novella, “A Due to the setbacks, ETC and other exchange organizations are looking to more
Martyr for Suzy Kosasovich,” was published in February 2008. This year, one of creative ways to recruit families. For example, Whitlock is trying to spread the word
Finn’s stories was listed among the 100 Distinguished Stories of 2008 in Houghton
that families and individuals who host can earn volunteer hours, often required by
Mifflin’s Best American Short Stories 2008.
schools and businesses.
To learn more about the classes Finn offers at Chandler-Gilbert Community
“Most people don’t know that they can get volunteer hours - needed for things like
College or to enroll, visit www.my.maricopa.edu or call 480-732-7320.
IB diplomas and work advancements. They can even earn the President’s Volunteer
Service Award through hosting an exchange student with our organization, since
Backpack, school supply
we are a certified partner with the President’s Points of Light foundation,” says
Whitlock (www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/)
drive for ICAN
Another reason people may not think of for hosting is that the experience can be
a low-cost alternative to travel.
A back-to-school backpack drive for ICAN youth runs July 1-15 in partnership
“For people like me who can’t afford to take their family to another country,
with the Chandler Leadership Class of 2009, RED Development and the Chandler
this is a way they can learn about and really experience another culture,” she says.
Chamber of Commerce.
“And, if we ever are in the position to go abroad, now we’ve got invitations to visit
Needed supplies include new backpacks, paper, notebooks, folders, binders,
all the places our former exchange kids are from - Rome, Germany, Paris, Brazil,
pens, pencils, markers, crayons, rulers, glue, child scissors and other back-to-
school essentials. A drop box will be at the Chandler Chamber at 25 S. Arizona Pl.,
even China.”
Chandler and at other participating businesses.
Families and individuals can learn more about hosting students with ETC
For more information, or to sign up to participate as a drop-off center, contact
by calling 480-480-722-1530, or emailing nwhitlock@edutrav.org, or by visiting
Shelby at 480-821-4207 or by email at shelby@icanaz.org. www.edutrav.org.
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