Contact: Bruce Locklear
Edina High School principal
952-848-3899
brulocklear@edina.k12.mn.us

Rotary Contact:
Terry Stevens
952-945-5100

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anderson chosen for Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Edina High School senior to leave for South Africa later this year

Edina, Minn., Feb. 19, 2010 – One Edina High School teen is getting a worldly education, in a very literal sense of the word. EHS junior Molly Anderson will leave for South Africa later this year, where she will study as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

Anderson will be among the more than 800 students in the program this year who will spend up to a year living with host families in a country other than their own. They learn a new language, a new way of living and also serve as ambassadors to other nations seeking to learn about the United States

Anderson, daughter of Pete and Heather Anderson of Edina, will represent the Rotary Club of Edina, Edina Morningside Rotary Club and Rotary District 5950 in Africa. She will leave July 18 and return approximately 10 months later.

“Friends have asked us, ‘How can you let her go?’ ” said Heather Anderson. “I answer them, ‘How could we not let her go?’ This is a wonderful opportunity for her to see another culture, not through the lens of a tourist but through the lens of a resident.”

Anderson is already an accomplished traveler for someone who has not yet reached the age of legal adulthood, having journeyed to the continents of Europe, South America and Australia. When she realized a long term trip to South Africa was an option through the Rotary program, Anderson jumped at the chance. 

The local Rotary clubs will also host an “inbound” Rotary Youth Exchange program this year. The clubs are looking for two or three families to host the student during the exchange, which will begin in mid-August. Rotary provides the exchange student with a monthly allowance, lunches at school and money for other school expenses. In addition, Rotary provides the student with health insurance.

For more information on the Rotary Youth Exchange program, contact Terry Stevens at 952-945-5100 or Heather Hansen at 952-912-9895. For more information on other international service programs, contact International Service Director San Asato at 952-548-3123.

About Edina Public Schools:
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves a large portion of Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

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