Make a Donation
Dedicated donations for Kendra Wagner's year abroad may be made to Janet Johnson of Monroe's AFS Chapter, 1123 11th St., Monroe. Donations are tax deductible.
To order flower bulbs or Rada stainless steel cutlery, contact Cheryl Wagner at 325-2208.
MONROE - Kendra Wagner knew it wasn't going to be easy to convince her father to let her spend a year abroad in the AFS program.
Last spring, when Kendra, now 16, was just a freshman at Monroe High School, she put together a 10-page proposal outlining all the answers to questions she anticipated her father, Wally, might have.
"He never said yes," Kendra said. "He didn't say anything."
But almost a year later, Kendra is busy making plans for her upcoming year in Italy. She will leave in September and return to the States sometime in late June or July 2009.
Following AFS procedures, Kendra was first accepted into the United States program. She then applied to be accepted into programs in potential host countries. She found out in December she got into the Italian program, her first choice.
She had several reasons for wanting to go to Italy.
"I wanted to learn Italian," said Kendra, a Spanish student at MHS, adding she didn't want to go someplace where English was the primary language. She described herself as a picky eater who's not a fan of fish, so cuisine was a consideration. And she ruled out South America because of bugs - "I really, really hate bugs," she said.
When Kendra leaves in September, she will have a three-day orientation in New York with other AFS students from around the country. They will fly as a group overseas and travel to their respective host countries.
Then they will meet their host families for the first time. While living with their host families, AFS students are expected to follow household rules. Furthermore, they are forbidden to hitchhike, take illegal drugs or drive a motor vehicle, Kendra said. Breaking one of the rules means being kicked out of the program and returning home.
Kendra's program will cost $10,000, which includes everything but her airfare to New York and spending money. To help offset the cost, the Wagners are conducting several fund-raisers. They are selling flower bulbs and Rada stainless steel cutlery. They also are sending a mass mailing to local businesses within the next few days asking for sponsorship.
With her departure date looming on the horizon, Kendra said she is a little scared and very excited.
"I know I will miss a lot," she said.
Likewise, her family knows they will miss her.
"Mom was a lot more excited when it was a year and a half away," Kendra's mother Cheryl said. "But we're proud of her. She's got a good attitude. We're going to miss her like crazy."
Wally is growing accustomed to the idea, as well. Kendra's 10-page proposal - which since has been posted on an AFS Web site for other potential exchange students to use to convince their parents - did impress him.
"I'm better," he said of his feelings now.
In addition to raising money, there's one other logistical problem Kendra needs to work out before she leaves for her year-long adventure:
"I haven't figured out to write my name yet," she said. In the Italian language, "they don't have the letter 'K'."
Last spring, when Kendra, now 16, was just a freshman at Monroe High School, she put together a 10-page proposal outlining all the answers to questions she anticipated her father, Wally, might have.
"He never said yes," Kendra said. "He didn't say anything."
But almost a year later, Kendra is busy making plans for her upcoming year in Italy. She will leave in September and return to the States sometime in late June or July 2009.
Following AFS procedures, Kendra was first accepted into the United States program. She then applied to be accepted into programs in potential host countries. She found out in December she got into the Italian program, her first choice.
She had several reasons for wanting to go to Italy.
"I wanted to learn Italian," said Kendra, a Spanish student at MHS, adding she didn't want to go someplace where English was the primary language. She described herself as a picky eater who's not a fan of fish, so cuisine was a consideration. And she ruled out South America because of bugs - "I really, really hate bugs," she said.
When Kendra leaves in September, she will have a three-day orientation in New York with other AFS students from around the country. They will fly as a group overseas and travel to their respective host countries.
Then they will meet their host families for the first time. While living with their host families, AFS students are expected to follow household rules. Furthermore, they are forbidden to hitchhike, take illegal drugs or drive a motor vehicle, Kendra said. Breaking one of the rules means being kicked out of the program and returning home.
Kendra's program will cost $10,000, which includes everything but her airfare to New York and spending money. To help offset the cost, the Wagners are conducting several fund-raisers. They are selling flower bulbs and Rada stainless steel cutlery. They also are sending a mass mailing to local businesses within the next few days asking for sponsorship.
With her departure date looming on the horizon, Kendra said she is a little scared and very excited.
"I know I will miss a lot," she said.
Likewise, her family knows they will miss her.
"Mom was a lot more excited when it was a year and a half away," Kendra's mother Cheryl said. "But we're proud of her. She's got a good attitude. We're going to miss her like crazy."
Wally is growing accustomed to the idea, as well. Kendra's 10-page proposal - which since has been posted on an AFS Web site for other potential exchange students to use to convince their parents - did impress him.
"I'm better," he said of his feelings now.
In addition to raising money, there's one other logistical problem Kendra needs to work out before she leaves for her year-long adventure:
"I haven't figured out to write my name yet," she said. In the Italian language, "they don't have the letter 'K'."