Submitted by Savannah Stallbaumer, WHS Student Correspondent

Wetmore High School welcomed two foreign exchange students for the 2018-19 school year.

Francesca Damonti, a senior at WHS, is from Milan, Italy. Her host parents are Keri and Chris Strathman.

Hippolyte Pascal is from Paris, France, and is enrolled as a junior at WHS. His host parents are Joyce and Kenneth Stallbaumer.

Both Damonti and Pascal have embraced their American high school experience. Damonti is a member of the high school volleyball team, KAYS and SADD. Likewise, Pascal plays on the Cardinal football team, has been cast in the high school musical, Aladdin Jr., and is involved in SADD.

The decision to come to America was not an easy one for either student.

“I miss my family, my friends, and the food in Italy,” Damonti said.

“I really miss my cat Shooketh,” Pascal said.

Their families were both supportive of the students’ year-long move to America.

“They were happy for me, but were sad that I would be gone for a year,” Damonti said.

Sports, food and extracurricular activities seem to be the highlight of these students’ American experience.

“The sports are my favorite part of America,” Pascal said. “They don’t have sports in schools in France.”

“I like hamburgers,” Damonti said.

These students have come to America to learn, and both of them plan to make the most of this opportunity.