Jeffco

GUEST COLUMN

Kacey Narracci

hadn’t been home for more than 30 minutes when our youngest had him juggling the soccer ball with her for almost two hours. ey 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 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

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ANDREW FRAIELI Community Editor afraieli@coloradocommunitymedia.com 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 of those kids land in Je erson County, but we have space for many more. is is such a wonderful opportunity to make our global community smaller, share your culture, learn about others, expose your children and community to more diversity. ere is no downside!

Host families come in all shapes and sizes: empty nesters, single parents, big families with small chil-

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 dren, small families with or without children. e only requirements are to be at least 25 years of age, have a bed for the student that is not convertible in nature (they can share a room with a same sex sibling), be able to provide three meals a day and a willingness to open your heart and home to an exchange student.

Please visit https://efexchangeyear.org/iec/kacey-narracci/ for more information and to see some of the terri c kids who hope to nd a host family for the 2023-24 school year.

Kacey Narracci is the regional coordinator of EF High School Exchange Year. Kacey can be reached at kacey. narracci@efexchangeyear.org or 720331-4556.

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