Two Dutch Fork High School students in the German language program have been selected as international exchange students to Germany.
Li Ward, a student in the AP German class, is a 2021 graduate of Dutch Fork High School and has been selected to participate in the American Scandinavian Student Exchange. Li will spend six weeks living with a host family in Wassenberg near the Dutch and Belgian borders where he will continue his studies of the German language and culture. This fall Li will attend Furman University and pursue a major in international relations.
“Li is passionate about everything German and European,” his German teacher Frau Karla Bell said. “It has been a pleasure to be his German teacher for all four years of his high school career. After a very selective application and interview process, he will be representing the United States in one of the oldest and most renowned youth exchange programs. This accomplishment is a great honor for Li. Traveling to Germany is a dream come true for him.”
Hayley McCabe is a rising senior at Dutch Fork High. She has taken three years of German and has received a full scholarship from the Congress-Bundes Youth Exchange. She will live with a host family for ten months in Frankfurt where she will also attend a German high school and participate in community programs. Hayley will graduate from Dutch Fork High School with her class in the 2021-22 school year.
“I am so excited for Hayley,” Bell said. “After three years as a student of German, she has been chosen as a youth ambassador in the highly competitive U.S. State Department (all expenses paid) exchange program. Youth ambassadors are expected to fully immerse themselves in the culture of Germany, learn the language, and create lasting relationships. This is a coveted opportunity that few students are awarded.”
Dutch Fork High School principal, Dr. Gerald Gary said, “We are excited to have two of our Dutch Fork students, Li, a 2021 graduate, and Hayley, a member of the 2022 class, participate in these wonderful cultural exchanges in Germany. Their participation speaks volumes to their level of focus and preparation. We are proud of Li and Hayley for having the courage to travel away from their homes for these incredible opportunities. We are also proud of Mrs. Bell who helped prepare Li and Hayley for these adventures. Proud of our Silver Foxes.”
