Scenes from Sahuarita: German exchange student; kids get computers

For the next several months, Karl and Jennifer Wagner of Sahuarita have a new “daughter” who has joined their own children, Emma and Julia, ages 9 and 6, in the family’s home in Sahuarita.

Ann-Kathrin Weier, or Anni, as she likes to be called, came all the way from Harbach, Germany, to Sahuarita as an exchange student through Youth for Understanding International.

Anni, who is fluent if not quite perfect yet in English, will be attending Sahuarita High School for the entire school year, studying U.S. history, English literature, math, science, physical education and guitar.

Living as a full-fledged member of the Wagner family, Anni participates in daily activities and household chores, social functions and sightseeing excursions.

In turn, Anni will share the culture and customs of Germany with her host family, friends and classmates. Using ingredients she brought with her from Germany, Anni has already prepared an authentic German meal of white wine sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes for the Wagners that the entire family pronounced “absolutely delicious.”

More than 2,000 American families each year open their homes and hearts to YFU International students. It is one of the world’s oldest, largest and most respected international exchange student programs.

COMPUTER DONATION

Just in time for the new school year, Raytheon donated three laptop computers to Anza Trail School, much to the delight of both students and teachers.

The youngsters in Ellen Rieger’s fourth-grade class were among the first to use the new laptops.

Student Taylor Tellez pointed out that “the laptops really help us learn stuff like multiplication tables. We can search for information and look up words on the computers. They also help us prepare for our tests, especially accelerated reading.”

Principal Kathy Shiba said, “The computers will be used in the classroom and may some day be part of a laptop computer lab. Raytheon’s generous donations and support have already helped our children in so many ways, and now the new computers will help them even more. Raytheon is a true friend to education.”

ACCESS TO TOP COLLEGES

Lynda Robinson, a counselor at Sahuarita High School, attended a five-day program last month hosted by Middlebury College and Williams College, two of the country’s oldest and most selective liberal arts colleges. The program focused on opportunities available to students from diverse backgrounds and limited family resources to access top colleges.

Middlebury and Williams are private residential colleges committed to admitting students without regard to their ability to pay. Once a student’s financial need has been demonstrated, the colleges meet 100 percent of each student’s college-related costs for four years.

A TASTE OF OLLI

An outstanding educational opportunity is coming up locally with A Taste of OLLI, a sampling of seminars and lectures to be offered for the fall semester by the Green Valley affiliate of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute through the University of Arizona.

Included in A Taste of OLLI will be a study group on Shakespeare’s “Richard III” and “The Merchant of Venice” on Monday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m.; Maintaining a Healthy and Active Brain on Monday, Aug. 31, at 3 p.m.; What They Forgot to Tell You When You Started to Study History on Monday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m.; The Future of Freedom on Monday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m.; Web 2.0 - The Brave New World of Blogs, Wikis and Tweets on Monday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m.; and Native American Foods on Monday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m.

Participants will also receive information about more than 30 topics for the fall semester, running Sept. 28 through Nov. 20.

The OLLI program is for adults over 50 who want to share their passion for knowledge and interest in learning. Membership/registration packages are available at the Joyner-Green Valley Library. For additional information, go to www.olli.arizona.edu, e-mail ollimail@u.arizona.edu, or call Penny Schmitt at 520-626-9039.

AIR FORCE AIRMAN RECCE

Air Force Airman First Class Jonathan Recce recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Airman Recce completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, basic warfare principles and skills, physical fitness and Air Force core values.

Recce, who graduated from Sahuarita High School in 2007, is the son of Sandy and Rick Recce of Sahuarita.

Your community congratulates you, Airman Recce!

ALL STARS NEW DIGS

Sahuarita All Stars Cheer recently opened its new cheer and tumbling facility at 430 Ward Lane in Green Valley. The new facility includes a pro shop.

Sahuarita All Stars offers cheer, tumbling, stunting and competitive team training. The All Stars competitive cheer team will be competing in six events in Arizona, New Mexico and California, as well as giving four local performances.

For registration or additional information, go to www.sahuaritacheer.com or call 520-668-3074.

Sahuarita resident Jeannie Applegate is a freelance writer. Contact her at wordwizard@cox.net with information about local happenings, including school honors, competitions and activities, special events such as birthdays and anniversaries, and achievements and activities of Sahuarita residents.