A life in a year: being an exchange student in Colorado

It hink it’s better.”

Last night we were discussing the differences between school in the USA and Italy with our Italian exchange student, Giona, as my kids complained, yet again, about having to go to school.

Giona explained to us how in Italy he goes to school from 8-2 Monday through Saturday. He doesn’t eat lunch at school, which he really enjoys here, and said the teachers are much more strict and not as friendly in Italy.

I’m hoping that gave my kids pause. Maybe they will appreciate what they have.

Giona has been with us for two months now, and it’s been great!

Letter To The Editor

Another letter in response to Frosty Woodbridge’s Feb. 23 letter

After reading Frosty Wooldridge’s letter about the “green, wood, cement monstrosity ... growing up on South Golden Road,” I am wondering why the Golden Mayor and City Council are referenced. Golden

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Guest Column

Kacey Narracci

We have three kids: ages 11, 15 and 16, and each has a special and different relationship with him. He hadn’t been home for more than 30 minutes when our youngest had him juggling the soccer ball with her for almost two hours. They have a shared passion. It took a little longer with the teenagers, but he and Em joke around like brother and sister now, and Kennan has taught Giona to play chess.

He is always so polite and thankful. He helps with dinner and loves our dog. When I asked what is on his “bucket” list, he said that he city limits end almost immediately after Ulysses St. We see the population growth everywhere, not just in Golden. Drive, look, and listen to Arvada and Lakewood residents, as well as throughout the country.

However, all people do need, and

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CORINNE WESTEMAN Community Editor cwesteman@coloradocommunitymedia.com just feels so lucky to be here. We’ve found a soccer team for him to train with, and this past weekend he went ice climbing with my son’s Scout troop! Most days though, the kids just go to school, come home and hang out. He’s having the experience of being a “normal American teenager” in a “typical” American family, and we are all better for it.

Each year, EF High School Exchange Year brings thousands of students to the U.S.A. to live out their American dream of attending high school in the U.S. for a school year or a semester. About 20-25 deserve, a place called home, even if it is an expensive, rented, possibly crowded, apartment home. If we read the statistics, in a decade or two, with smaller families, we may well be concerned that there are not enough people to buy the homes and apartments that we are

MINDY NELON Marketing Consultant mnelon@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com building now. We already see that in the school age population and school closures. In the meantime, I have a heart for people who cannot find and/or cannot afford a safe and comfortable place called home.

Janet Johnson, Golden

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