Page 6 - 1980 News Clippings

Exchange Student from

Ngaruawahia Returns

The Press, March 12th, 1980 very nice and extremely away, it was just the three of

Under the Rotary good people. us in the home.
Exchange Student scheme “My first day at “It during the summer
Sonya Haggie of Ngarua- Hominy High School is still that I seemed to be totally
wahia returned home after a vivid memory. School was accepted by the teenagers.
12 months in the U.S.A. such a big adjustment and so Over the three month
Sonia was sponsored by the demanding of me that the holiday I began to get to
Te Rapa Rotary Club whose first thing I did after my first know everyone, which
selection of students covered school day was cry. And I resulted in my being much
Te Rapa and surrounding cried and cried. more comfortable in school
areas. “Summer vacation was when the new year began.
Under the Exchange my first enjoyable time “Three days before my
Scheme Rotary Clubs can during my stay in the United stay in Hominy was to end I
only send students of non- States. As the school year was given my own
Rotary members and, in runs from September 1 to the graduation ceremony and my
return, host visiting over- end of May, the annual high school diploma. The
seas students. school holidays are a three diploma, as well as the

Sonia now reports on month summer period. ‘Outstanding Journalist’
her experiences as an During the summer I Award I received for my
exchange student. travelled all over Oklahoma work in the journalism class,
to the American Indian and will always be my most
“… I arrived in Hominy, dances with the treasured possession.
Oklahoma, U.S.A. on Satepauhoodle family. The
January 29 1979 after a very Satepauhoodle’s are a Kiona “I spent four days in
tedious and tiring journey. -Osage Indian family, who California and visited
Mt first host family, the became very close to me. Disneyland, Universal
Whitsons, met me at the Through them I learned all Studios (where I walked
Tulsa airport in Oklahoma, about the Indian traditions through Robert Wagner’s
in the middle of a snow and beliefs, and I understand dressing room), and on the
storm. The drastic and that I was very fortunate in breath-taking Newport
sudden seasonal change was being such a part of the beach.
just as confusing as the time Indian people as they do not “On January 26, 1980 I
change. welcome in any way white arrived back in New Zealand
“Hominy is a small people, and much less so to a very happy but rather
town with a population of foreigners. tearful family welcome. It is
approximately 3500. At first On June 1, I moved in hard to describe my year in
I was quite disgusted at with my second and last the United States of
being placed in such a small family. Jim and Mildred America, but the least I can
town, but my feelings very Hopkins are a retired couple say is that one day I’m going
quickly changed. If I hadn’t and as their five children back.”
been sent to Hominy I have all married and moved Sonya Haggie
wouldn’t have met all its