The C&G | Volume II | Issue 2 | Spring Edition

Volume II, Issue 2

May 2014

Editor’s Desk

Photograph by Rachel Tiller

Seniors, I hate to break it to you, but Mrs. Elms and I have decided that you all definitely, unquestionably, without a doubt can’t graduate and leave the C&G. We need you way too much. You’ve singlehandedly transformed our little newspaper into a beautiful online and print that we couldn’t be more proud of.

All of our work has improved thanks to your dedication and capability, so sorry, but you’re stuck with us for a while.

The C&G loved working on this issue’s theme, mostly out of curiosity. I’ve lived in Atlanta for every second of my seventeen years and looking around, I feel

1 | C&G | Spring 2014

like I’ve barely made it out the front door.

Ten-year-old me was completely oblivious to the four million people I shared a city with. Fifteen-year-old me could barely find the way to the local Publix, let alone Turner Field. Now, seventeen-year-old me hasn’t made much progress.

And now we’d like to share a dream with you. The dream to open your eyes to Atlanta behind-the-scenes, which will be all the more powerful of a message coming from the pens of a future generation. The very people you see on our staff page will one day be responsible for what you see, hear and read. After

working with them, I can promise that you will be in safe, capable hands.

This staff was hungry for a behind-thescenes tour of our hometown. Atlanta is a story, or really, a collection of stories just waiting to be told. I know now that they’ve been waiting on us to tell them for years. I can’t wait to explore our Atlanta a little more with you.

Lela Johnson

C&G | Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School

In this issue Going “Glocal.”

The search for global experiences in our own backyard

Features

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Conformity: Is it really a bad thing?

The transformation of thought one senior experienced while abroad

C&G STAFF Sydney Coleman Staff Writer

Erin Ernst

Copy Editor

Clara Forrestal Editor In Chief

Lela Johnson Copy Editor

Lauren McBroom Staff Writer

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People Purpose

Putting a face to homelessness

Mary Catherine Thomson Print Editor

Ané Wanliss Online Editor

Whitney Weiss Staff Writer

Danielle Elms Advisor

21

We Are Not For Sale

A deeper look into one of Atlanta’s hidden horrors

28

We are Family

A profile of the Holy Innocents’ foreign exchange program

On the side

11 Fast Food City 19 10 Facts About Atlanta 39 Atlanta’s Hidden Gems 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW | Atlanta, GA 30327

C&G is a student magazine dedicated to representing the voice of the Holy Innocents’ student body. We are a group of students, and therefore our focus is on students. We want to invite and to further discussion on the topics that are already trending through the halls of HIES, the community, and the nation.

The link between our staff and the students of HIES is key and drives every aspect of our publication. So to all the students, read, reflect, respond; The C&G is as much your voice as ours!

@

Check us out www.crimsonandgold.org

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CONFORMITY Is it Really a Bad Thing ?

By Whitney Weiss

While one cannot deny that the community of Buckhead is elegant and glamorous, but to some people, especially teenagers, it can feel entrapping. The fancy mansions and meticulously manicured lawns that characterize this area can easily come across as pompous to someone who consider themselves as nonconformist.

junior year at The Oxbow School, a coeducational boarding school in Napa, California. This highly selective school places great emphasis on visual arts and only accepts 48 students biannually. For her final reflection project, Dennard explored the topic of social conformity and discovered something surprising not only about human nature, but about herself as well. Dennard has graciously allowed the But is conformity necessarily a bad thing? That’s C&G to publish her work. the question Senior Grace Dennard found herself asking when she spent the second semester of her

A Triptych of Conformity by Grace Dennard

Spring 2014 | C&G | 4

A TRIPTYCH OF CONFORMITY

By Grace Dennard

Self Portrait by Grace Dennard

W

hat first comes to mind when you hear the word “conformity?”

For many people concepts such as Nazi Germany, the dictatorship of Mao Zedong (of the communist party of China), and the ruling of Joseph Stalin (leader of the Soviet Union) enter the forefront of the mind. When I first hear the word conformity though, my mind automatically jumps to the Buckhead district of Atlanta.

According to USA.com, the average household income in 2010 was $56,644.

In comparison, the average income of a household in the 30327 zip code, or Buckhead district, was $200,957. In 2000, Caucasians made up 72.41% of the total US population, whereas in Buckhead 90.41% of the population is white. Of the American population who attend high school, 9.35% are enrolled in private schools. Contrasting this percent, 71.43% of the Buckhead high school populations attend private schools.

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Before coming to Oxbow, I saw no issue with the population of the “Buckhead bubble”. Luckily, by coming to Oxbow and stepping away from the bubble, I have had time to reflect on living in such an environment. The experiences, which I have had in these short months at Oxbow, have broadened my perspective of the world and made me more appreciative of variation. Until this year, I believed Buckhead was a great place to live. I have come to realize that Buckhead is primarily filled with spoiled, ungrateful, similarly dressed, materialistic, ignorant, Caucasian people. Fueled by my repugnance towards the lack of diversity, which exists in Buckhead, I began researching uniformity.

It is first important to address what uniformity is. Merriam-Webster defines uniform as “consistent in conduct or opinion,” and “presenting an unvaried appearance of surface, pattern, or color.”

I believe these definitions combined accurately describe how I feel about the majority of the population of Buckhead.

Through self-reflection and research though, I came to the realization that the uniformity in Buckhead is not what aggravates me, but that my irritation stems from a deeper concern. That concern is conformity, because in order for a group of people to be uniform, they must first conform.

What is conformity? Saul McLeod, author of “What is Conformity?” has defined conformity as a type of social

influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group.

In 1955, Psychologist Richard Crutchfield studied conformity and performed a number of social experiments. Upon completing these experiments, he defined conformity simply as “yielding to group pressures.” These “group pressures” take many different forms, such as bullying, persuasion, teasing, criticism, incentives, and alienation. In the same way group pressure comes in a variety of forms, there are multiple forms of conformity.

The first and most recognized form of conformity is normative conformity.

Normative conformity refers to the type of conformity in which a person gives in to group pressure because he or she wants to fit in. In this case, the person is scared of being rejected. This form of conformity can be observed in the Asch Line Study. In 1951, Solomon Asch, an American psychologist, conducted an experiment to focus on how easily an individual’s opinions can be altered by a group. He conducted this experiment by testing eight people at one time. In this experiment, four lines were projected onto a screen. The participants were asked to identify which line was the same length as the first. The test subjects were unaware of the fact that, although they were being tested with seven other people, they were the only real participants. The other seven “participants” were actually Asch’s associates. One-by-one, Asch called on the participants to give their answer to

A close up of ‘Proportion and Gradiation’ by Grace Dennard

which line was identical to the first. Each deceive the brain into believing the light time, Asch asked his seven associates, has moved. He conducted this experiment who answered falsely, before asking the by first putting each of his subjects in a real test subject. This experiment was darkened room individually. He told his done multiple times with different people. subjects that light would be shown in After collecting the data, Asch deduced front of them, extinguished and shown that 74% of real participants gave the again. He then posed the question, “how false answer that the majority of the far did the light move?” Although the light group of Asch’s did not move associates gave at “I began to recognize how at all, because least one of the the individuals times they were common and subconscious were asked how asked. Although far it moved, the act of conforming the correct each assumed answer was it had certainly actually is” brutally obvious, moved and gave the real subject would generally follow a distance. After testing the participants the preceding “subjects” and answer the separately, he then conducted the same question falsely, in order to fit in. experiment multiple times in a group Another form of conformity is setting. He found that all individuals gave informational conformity. This form distances similar to whatever distance of conformity occurs when a person was said by the first participant to speak lacks knowledge. In this case, due to in the group setting, regardless of their their lack of knowledge, he or she looks previous distances. His ultimate findings to the group for guidance and typically proved that because the participants had conforms to the majority. An example of no knowledge of how far, or even if, the this form of conformity is an experiment light moved, they depended on and based performed by the Turkish psychologist their estimated off of the distance given Muzafer Sherif. In 1935, Sherif by the first participant. conducted an auto kinetic experiment.

The third form of conformity is The auto kinetic phenomenon refers to identification. This subconscious act of the apparent movement of a fixed point conforming occurs when one conforms of light being observed in a dark room. to the expectations of a social role. This Due to the lack of additional light, the eye form of conforming is demonstrated has no additional reference points. in the Stanford Prison Experiment. In For this reason, the brain is unable to 1973, Philip Zimbardo, psychologist and compensate and the small eye movements professor at Stanford, wanted to study the

Dennard with one of her most recent pieces created in her AP 2-D Art Class 6

Dennard’s favorite art medium is photography, but this year is taking AP 2-D, which includes painting, drawing, and digital art.

roles people play in prison situations. To execute his experiment, he first converted the basement of the Stanford University psychology building into a mock prison with barred windows and doors. He then searched for volunteers who were willing to spend two weeks participating in this experiment. After choosing 24 male students as participants of the experiment, Zimbardo assigned them to play the role of either prisoner or guard at random. The prison simulation was kept as authentic as possible: arresting the “prisoners” at their homes, fingerprinting, photographing and “booking” them at the police station, before transporting them to the basement of the university. Upon

arriving at the “prison,” the prisoners were stripped naked, searched, and issued uniforms. In just a few short hours from starting the experiment, Zimbardo observed that the guards had already begun harassing the inmates, adopting the habits of typical prison guards. After the completion of the experiment, one guard revealed to Zimbardo, “I was surprised at myself. I made them call each other names and clean the toilets out with their bare hands. I practically considered the prisoners cattle and I kept thinking I had to watch out for them in case they tried something.” Like-wise, the prisoners soon began conforming to fulfill the average prisoner’s behavior by “tellingtales” on other prisoners and following

A close up of ‘Proportion and Gradiation’ by Grace Dennard

7

the rules very seriously. Like the 33% of the average American daily jail population who develop and suffer from mental illnesses, one prisoner was released less than two days into the experiment due to uncontrollable bursts of crying and screaming. Six days into the originally planned two week experiment, Zimbardo found all the results he needed and closed the experiment down eleven days early, as he felt there was danger that someone might be physically or emotional damaged if the experiment was continued.

After learning there are three main types of conformity: normative, informational, and identification, I discovered that there are two possible responses to conformity, which are not dependent on the reasons one has for conforming.

These two responses are internalization and compliance. Internalization occurs when someone publicly changes behavior to fit in with the majority, while also agreeing with them privately. It is also possible for one to conform, but to privately disagree with the group. This idea of publicly accepting the views of a group, while privately rejecting them is known as compliance. For example, many of the guards from Zimbardo’s experiment claimed to be horrified by their mistreatment of the inmates. This is an example of a situation when the people conforming respond with compliance: the guards publicly conformed to fit the social role and actively participated in the

dehumanization of the prisoners, while than the uniformity that exists anywhere privately rejecting the ill treatment of else. As I shifted my focus away from the another human. Internalization would negative aspects of living in a bubble and have occurred if any of the guards towards and open-minded perspective believed the prisoners deserved the of conformity, I began to recognize mistreatment. In such a scenario, not only how common and subconscious the act would the guard have participated in the of conforming actually is. By stopping dehumanization of at stop signs, we the prisoners, but “I viewed the uniformity are conforming to he would have also authority of in Buckhead as a terrible the believed he was the United States thing, when in reality, government. By entitled to do so.

Why do we clothes or the uniformity among the wearing conform? Through participating in any doing my research, population in Buckhead form of hygiene, I learned that there are conforming is no greater than the we are multiple reasons to social norms. uniformity that exists Subconsciously we for conforming.

People conform all conform, so is anywhere else � because they either conformity really a want to fit in, want to impress people, bad thing? This is one question I believe I lack knowledge, or feel the need to fulfill will be actively exploring for the duration social roles. Researching for this paper of my life. u has made me reconsider my opinion on conformity. After completing my research, I realized that conformity is natural. Through self-reflection, I also came to realize that I should not be angry about the uniformity that exists within the population of Buckhead. I am my harshest critic. Likewise, I judge my own city and situation more harshly than any others. For this reason, I viewed the uniformity in Buckhead as a terrible thing, when in reality the uniformity among the population in Buckhead is no greater

Interested in pursuing a study abroad program while attending HIES? You are not alone.

Approximately 59.8% of students at HIES are intersted in studying abroad for a semester *

*According to a survey of 224 HIES students

Spring 2014 | C&G | 8

“It’s about the progress, not the product; it kind of seems cliché but Steven, the Head of School [at the Oxbow School] used to always say that to me because I can get very stressed out, OCD, and knit picky about things, especially my art. I didn’t realize I was like that until my time abroad where I realized I had become such a perfectionist that I wasn’t even enjoying the process of making art.”

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QA WITH &

” C&G

”

DENNARD ” C&G

When did you become so interested and passionate about art? “

GD

It kind of happened over the years. My sister is really interested in art and goes to SCAD [Savannah College of Art and Design] and my mom is also very interested in art so we always had paints and crayons around to play with it. ”

”C&G

How did you discover The Oxbow School?”

”

Do you hope to pursue art in college or as a career?”

GD

[Senior] Katherine Correll had told me about it and then one day in Global Citizenship I googled ‘how to get out of Atlanta.’ I came across a blog from a girl from Atlanta who went to Oxbow four years ago and she talked about how it was the opposite of Atlanta so I figured I should try it and so I ended up applying and got in. ”

”

GD

Art is a hobby now but I am hoping to be an art therapist and I am planning to major in psychology [in college]. I like the idea of incorporating art into my job without being an artist. Honestly, I think if an artist were my profession it would take the fun out of it.”

Grace’s Gallery

“Contrasting Nature”

“Cotton Candy Explosion”

“Get Inked” 10

When looking for a quickly created cuisine, almost nothing compares to Indian street food. Vendors line the streets of many Indian cities selling spice filled foods to people on the go. Using unique spices such as cumin and tamarind, many dishes offer a distinctive experience for those eating it.

One sandwich that is commonly eaten on the go in India is the vada pav.

Although meatless, this sandwich still greatly satisfies the taste buds with spicy fried potato dumplings. They are curried in chickpea batter, garnished with green and tamarind chutney and served in between two small buns.

Although it’s not served on the streets of Atlanta, vada pav can be found on the menu of Decatur’s own restaurant Chai Pani. A must-have is the Mango Lassi, a chilled mango pulp and cardamom yogurt beverage, is sure to help cool the taste buds.

Vegetables like carrots and cucumbers are not usually incorporated on everyday sandwiches, but Vietnamese cuisine says otherwise. The sandwich itself is direct culinary evidence of the once French colonial rule in Vietnam.

From the pickled carrots to the baguette, it contains a fusion of flavors from both cultures. The variety of ingredients offers distinct flavors that complement each other to create a one of a kind experience for the taste buds.

While these sandwiches can typically be found in bakeries and delis of Vietnam, they can also be found in a select number of locations in Atlanta as well, one of which is just a short drive down to Buford Highway. Tucked away in one of the many shopping centers along this strip is Quoc Huoc Banh Mi Fast Food, a restaurant where these tasty subs can be whipped up swiftly.

VADA PAV

BANH MI

fa fo C i t I n today’s fast paced world, most people spend a lot of time on the go. Whether we are rushing to work or school, our everyday schedules can get pretty hectic. Often times, our chaotic agendas leave us with littleto-no time to get even the most essential chores done, such as eating. This being the case, we are often forced to resort to meal options that allow for quick consumption. Time has shown

11 9

Panini

st od y

By Ané Wanliss

that one of the best on-the-go options is the sandwich. We credit the invention of the sandwich to the fourth Earl of Sandwich (aka John Montagu), who was so absorbed in a gambling match for 24-hours that he only had time to eat a slice of beef slapped between two slices of bread. The sandwich has since evolved to have several variations of the standard concept.

CubaN

Although today’s feasibility classifies the Panini as any heated and pressed sandwich, traditionally, the sandwich is a little more complex than that. Originating in Italy, the sandwich is typically made on more “rustic” bread, like ciabatta or focaccia, as opposed to traditional sliced bread.

To contradict colloquial ideas of the Panini, the sandwich does not even need to be heated! To get a taste of a traditional style Panini, a great local place to go is Café Posh. Spicy Chicken and Roast Lamb are just two are the many Panini options that are offered on the restaurant’s menu.

In the early twentieth century, travel between Cuba and Florida was both easy and very common. People traveled between both places for various reasons ranging from employment to vacation.

This exchange allowed for a transfusion of cultural experiences.

One of the results was the Cuban, also known as the “Cubano”. The sandwich features roasted pork, glazed ham, swiss cheese and pickles enclosed by two slices of Cuban bread that are lathered with yellow mustard. Although it can be served cold, it is often pressed and served hot. Originally the sandwich was served for lunch to workers from local cigar factories and sugar mills. As the cigar industry moved further north in Florida, so did the sandwich.

In no time, the sandwich was being offered in various cafés in Tampa, most notably showing up in Tampa’s Ybor City. To get a taste of the unique flavors the sandwich offers, visit Atlanta’s own Havana restaurant.

Spring 2014 | C&G | 12

The ™People Purpose∫

By Sydney Coleman

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W

hen Lashawndra Smart concludes her shift at California Pizza Kitchen, she clocks out, says good-bye to her co-workers, and hops on a Marta Bus to pick up her four children from school. In an hour’s time, Anthony (12), Keyshawn (10), Courtnei (9), and Kamari (5) are all reunited from their day at different schools, wondering about dinner and discussing school projects. They’re an energetic bunch with abundant smiles and hearty laughs. Nothing about Ms. Smart or her family would suggest that they struggled or were unhappy in the slightest. As Smart says, “if you didn’t know, you just wouldn’t guess that we were homeless.”

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A

fter living in Houston for a year, Smart decided to move back home to Atlanta. She had hoped to live with her mother during the job search, but a harsh reality put an abrupt end to this plan.

On August 20th 2013, “a Tuesday” as she clearly remembers, Smart’s mother told her she was no longer welcome in her home.

“Ever since I was a little girl, my mother just didn’t like me,” she recalled.

For a reason unknown to both Smart and her mother, the relationship between them was broken. Since that day, Smart and her children have been in need of a home, and it has been an unforgettable journey that will undoubtedly influence the rest of their lives.

The first months of homelessness were the hardest. Bouncing from shelter to shelter and waiting in line for food, Smart admits, “I’m not sure how we ate everyday, but we ate every single day.”

Whether it was from a soup kitchen, a food truck, a friend or the Grace of God, Smart says “[my children] ate every day, and not because of me.”

She attributes her family’s survival to the kindness of others, giving credit to the many people who have reached out to help her in her time of need. Although her experience has been laborious, Smart says it’s hard to be “anything but grateful.”

Things took a turn for the better when Smart and her children moved to the Nicholas House. Families that experience homelessness are much more likely to be separated than those that have not, but Smart refused to let her family become another statistic. Her number one priority has always been to provide a healthy family life for her three boys and “one angel,” and staying at the Nicholas House has allowed her to keep everyone under one roof, a privilege unfamiliar to many homeless families.

From the moment I met this family of five, it was impossible to imagine them apart. They’re normal kids; Keshawn gets shy around the camera, Courtnei doesn’t hesitate to share her thoughts, Anthony sports an infectious smile, and Kamari finds a toy truck much more interesting 15

than my questions. They feed off each those at risk. other’s energy, poke and whisper to one Not only are more people falling under another and quite obviously love one the poverty line, but also the cost of another unconditionally. They’re normal living is steadily rising at the same time, kids with normal jokes and normal decreasing the number of viable housing concerns, yet their experience has filled options for the impoverished. them with knowledge that most children According to the NCH, 26 percent of the just don’t have. sheltered adult homeless The actual word The stereotypical population suffers from a “homeless” comes with a mental illness. Dr. Peters, view of the number of connotations, a former homeless all of which the Smart homeless person is psychiatrist, concurs, family combats. The admitting that a large most often not the number of the homeless stereotypical view of a case at all homeless person is most patients she saw were often not the case at all.

Schizophrenic. She says that decades The image of a desheveled, bearded ago, these same types of people were in older man evoked by the word “homeless” asylums, but the lack of resources for is a misconception, and Caroline Ward, mental illness called for their release. a junior at HIES, understands this.

This is not a recent phenomenon, as this Ward says that before spending a day population stopped being institutionalized downtown for a photography project, in the 1950s and 1960s; however, the she believed these myths to be true, that NCH feels they are still left homeless due “it was dangerous to be around them” to the inability of the cognitively impaired and that they were addicted to drugs, “to obtain access to supportive housing among other things. However, just a and/or other treatment services.” This few hours of quality time taught her that doesn’t go to say that homeless citizens “homelessness is just a facet of a person, with mental illnesses should be put back it’s not the only thing about the person into institutions, but rather suggests that matters.” that they are absolutely “[Anthony] Although stating capable of achieving never facts about homelessness success. They just need with absolute certainty help. complained, even moreThe is impossible, the U.S. Conference National Coalition for when he had to of Mayors found that the Homeless (NCH) the cities they walk in the same half estimates that 3.5 million surveyed “identified people will experience pair of shoes for domestic violence as homelessness each year, a primary cause of 2 months.” and each of these people homelessness,” but this -Smart has a unique circumstance can be often overlooked. that places them in this situation.

When a man or a woman leaves an A general lack of money is an obvious unhealthy relationship, they don’t always cause of homelessness, as the NCH have a place to stay, as the primary states, “homelessness and poverty are concern is to get away from their abuser. inextricably linked.” Living paycheck to In this case, homelessness may be the paycheck is risky, as any complication can only option. A whopping 63 percent of be the difference between being with or homeless women, reported by the NCH, without a home. have experienced domestic violence in The NCH reported that “between 2000 their adult life, yet its connection with and 2011, the number of people living in homelessness is not obvious to those poverty in the U.S. grew from 33.9 million unaware of the problem. to a record 46.2 million,” proportionally There are several reasons a person raising the number of homeless people or or family can end up without a home.

National Estimates of Homelessness

By Age *According to the 2013 Annual Homelss Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress by the U.S. Department of Houseing and Urban Development

Under 18

18-24

All Homeless People

Sheltered People

25 & older Unsheltered People

60.3% 67.3% 80.0%

10.1%

9.9%

22.6%

29.8% 10.5% 9.5% Spring 2014 | C&G | 16

A chronically homeless young man poses on “Luckie St.” Photo by Caroline Ward

Not everyone sleeping in shelters or not fit neatly into the notion we’ve already she was unable to get them back. “It’s conceived. easy to give them up, but it’s hard to get on park benches is there because of It can happen to anyone, as the them back,” Smart says. “But she loves laziness or drug addiction. For some Homelessness does displacement of most her kids,” and Smart believes that nobody individuals and families is should have to give up their children due people, like Smart, not fit neatly into caused by an unforseeable to an emergency they cannot control. broken relationships Coming from a family of “people that or a tough job market the notion we’ve circumstance.

It is unlikely that love people,” Smart always knew that she could result in turning to a shelter for help. already conceived Dr. Peters’ patient who wanted to work for the greater good, and attended Harvard with a being homeless has actually led her to However, no matter the circumstances, Dr. Peters insists, “nobody wants to be full scholarship ever anticipated that he find her true purpose in life. would spend 20 years of his life homeless, However, she wants to take care of homeless.”

It is difficult to understand the true yet he did. Even Smart, a woman who had her own family before she takes care of depth of an issue without firsthand “always worked to be able to take care of others. her kids,” has been without a home for six Smart plans to restart her mobile nail experience.

As Ward says, “it is not a problem months due to a number of forces, many business and live in her own home by the end of March 2014, rebuilding the life in our day to day lives,” which raises of which are out of her control.

For Smart, her homeless experience that she and her children had six months the question: are most people simply has led her to a personal breakthrough, before. unaware?

Eager to get back on her feet, Smart Smart works at California Pizza the discovery of her “people purpose.” exclaims that her kids Kitchen, rides public transportation, She aspires to create an center for “They haven’t “haven’t met their Momma and goes to the grocery store just like emergency yet.” She knows just how anyone else. Her children attend school women and children, a met their extraordinary she can be, every day, explore local parks and play dream she realized when she basketball outside. The five of them met a woman in a shelter Momma yet” and admits that she has yet come in contact with many people on a who had suffered three heart attacks, but to show her children “the best of [her].” daily basis, possibly even you. We really could not seek medical attention because With strong faith, a bright smile and a don’t “have to go out of our way to come she didn’t have a place to leave her three positive outlook, Smart is well on her way in contact with these people,” as Ward children. Left with no other choice, the to fulfilling her true potential. It won’t once believed. They function in our very woman was forced to give up the custody be long before her children meet their own communities. Homelessness does of her children, later discovering that Mama. u 17 | C&G | Spring 2014

How You Can Help Homelessness is an overwhelming issue, but you can make a real difference in someone’s life. Dr. Peters strongly believes that young people are in a position of power with societal problems, and she stresses the importance of a simple connection. Spending time with the homeless, learning their stories, and letting them know that they matter is far more beneficial than handing them two dollars when you walk by them on the street.

There are so many ways you can help, especially through the Nicholas House. You can serve dinner, teach the adults a new skill, host snack time for the after school program, or help with monthly birthday parties. Whether you are looking to volunteer, or are just curious about family homelessness, a tour of the Nicholas House will bring you face to face with a lifestyle that is a mere zip code over, yet a world away from the life you live. There are so many things that separate the Nicholas House from our own homes; however, the things that really matter are exactly the same. The people are welcoming, the families eat meals together, they help and look out for one another, and it’s common to see little kids peeking around the corner of their bedroom doorways. The Nicholas House may be a place for the homeless, but it is, without a doubt, a home.

Even at full capacity, there is always room for someone to lend a hand.

To learn more about the Nicholas House, visit: www.nicholashouse.org

Types of Homelessness

*Recognized by the National Coalition for the Homeless

Transitional •largest percentage of the homeless population •spend one, short time period in a shelter •later enter stable housing

To learn more information about homelessness, visit: The National Coalition for the Homeless, www.nationalhomeless.org

Episodic

Chronic

•spend several years in the shelter system •more likely to suffer from addiction or disability •stereotypical images of the homeless •“represent a far smaller proportion of the homeless population compared to the transitionally homeless”

•“frequently shuttle in and out of homelessness”

Downtown Atlanta is a popular destination for the chronically homeless around the country. Photo by Caroline Ward 18

10 FACTS ABOUT

By Whitney Weiss

1.

2.

3.

4.

There are more than 65 streets with the word ‘Peachtree’ in it

ATL originated in 1845

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Around 2,500 flights are flown in and out of ATL daily with around 261,000 passengers

Approximately 73.87% of students at HIES live within the 285 Perimeter*

5.

7.

9.

Approximately 71.62% of students at HI were born in ATL*

There are over 5.5 million citizens

The metorpolitan area spans over 8,376 square miles

6.

8.

Over 500,000 tickets are sold annually at Philips Arena

The capital dome is layered with 43 ounces of gold

10.

The current mayor of Atlanta is Kasim Reed

*According to a survey of 224 HIES students Spring 2014 | C&G | 20

21 | C&G | Spring 2014

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We Are Not For Sale

We Are Not For Sale

A deeper look into one of Atlanta’s hidden horrors

By Lela Johnson Tonight, 100 teenage girls in Atlanta will be cornered into the sex trade industry to suffer trauma and humiliation. Tonight, 100 girls will have their lives and innocence robbed from them and 100 girls will be lucky to survive beyond seven years.

Ashley, 17, recalls the foreign sensation of feeling cared for after meeting a charismatic man at a bus stop.

23

“He said I could stay with him, but when we got to his apartment, he locked me in a closet with five other girls,” she says.

“Before he left, he told them to tell me the rules. We had a quota to meet - $2,000 a night to give to “Daddy”. Man after man came in. They wouldn’t look me in the eyes . . . I remember him stroking my hair. ‘You did it for Daddy,’ he’d say. ‘I’m so proud.’ We were nothing more than cash to him.”

Ashley survived her horror story thanks to outreach organization Wellspring Living, dedicated to restoring the lives of victimized young women. Despite charitable efforts, 99 girls may not be so lucky.

“Sex City”

Notorious for being a hub of the human trafficking industry, Atlanta has even been dubbed “Sex City”, shocking locals

Help me.

Every night, he tells me

he loves me. He promises… But I’m not sure if I believe him. He says he needs me, but what does it mean to need? Does that mean he needs to hurt me like this every night?

Does that mean he consumes my

every

day? I’m so afraid, but he makes me feel safe. I can’t stop thinking about him. My life doesn’t make any sense, but he promises he loves me… all that matters.

I think that’s

Photo by Freedom Outpost

with the truth of one of their hometown’s more hidden horrors. Statistics show that sex trafficking in Atlanta is the top underground industry only subsequent to drug trade. Children, often under the age of twelve, are flown to Hartsfield-Jackson to be met by pimps, then to be reunited with their families that same night almost as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Even a girl’s own family member or boyfriend will lure them into the

industry.

“Most simply, there is a demand,” says Nia Baker, executive assistant at Wellspring Living. “Atlanta is a hub, a place where people often come and go and there is a level of economic injustice and areas of economic depression that plays into the issue. It makes it much easier for this kind of thing to happen and for people not to notice.”

Mothers and fathers of these victim-

ized girls have occasionally been seen to sell their own child for sex to pay the bills in poor economic circumstances.

Many young women’s sole exposure to this abomination comes from unrealistic thrillers such as Taken, kindling the impression that as long as we don’t hop a plane to Europe solo, we’re good to go.

Unfortunately, the plot of Taken (minus Liam Neeson doubles) could easily take place in our city’s own backyard.

Periodically, girls need protection from their own home life, as a family member may be the source of abuse.

Organizations such as Wellspring Living do a wonderful job sheltering their resiSpring 2014 | C&G | 24

From Scar to Strength

dents for this exact reason. 13 years ago, want to live even though they have expefounder Mary Francis connected with a rienced what they have experienced. We While there is a level of comfort definitely believe that if these girls get the woman working to envictims find in love they deserve, this can happen, but courage victims of the “I remember him these interacting with others the healing process is a long one.” sex trafficking industry stroking my hair. who have gone through in a time when hardly A lot of community and family supsimilar experiences, this port is needed for this scar to become a any organizations were ‘You did it for Dadsupportive system also strength. working with women dy,’ he’d say.

‘I’m presents many internal in prostitution or sexchallenges. “There is a ual exploitation on the so proud.’” sense of collaboration streets of Atlanta. She and [these girls] are able to relate to one Although a mentor will always be decided to create a safe place where these another,” says Baker.

“But it’s also really checking in on them after graduating, this women could get back on their feet and find a job. She “started learning from hard as there are a lot of things they are isn’t always enough to prevent some girls scratch what it means to have a residen- dealing with personally. These girls be- from falling back in to the sex trafficking tial home and what kinds of things these come convinced that this person cares for industry. “It’s heartbreaking,” says Baker. women would need.” They honed in on them even if they abuse them and it be- “It’s so hard to break the cycle of someaccess to therapy and assistance with life comes very hard [for them] to leave that. thing that has become habitual.” It can take girls up to five skill and relationship development, con- They struggle with structing the foundation for a now lead- this dialogue inter- “We always believe the times of repeating ing organization in the United States spe- nally and live with story can be redeemed this cycle to make lots of others girls a clean break, especifically targeting victims’ needs. and that the girls are cially if they live in Due to its great success, Wellspring dealing with that actually even mentors other similar as well.” However, strong enough to make a level of economic poverty where sex non-profits to ensure they effectively group therapy can address these needs as well. A total of be beneficial as they that choice for their life trafficking just feels 27 beds are made available to serve girls are able to learn of when they are ready.” normal. Wellspring hopes that graduseeking help. Each girl stays roughly a ways to be stronger ates leave aware of year to receive individualized attention from one another. with an education and life skills plan until They all understand their shared struggle the continual opportunity to choose again they are able to rejoin families or a safe to an extent. Any sort of trauma will leave and realize “they have friends, they have a scar behind. “The question is whether family,” says Baker. “If these girls return environment. these girls will be able to live the lives they

A Clean Break

Wellspring Living fosters creative surroundings where these girls can get back on their feet.

Photo by Wellspring Living 25 | C&G | Spring 2014

W

BAILEY LYLES Senior Bailey Lyles’ battle against sex trafficking has grown into a long, wholehearted commitment from age thirteen.

However, Bailey’s inspiration for global project Moving with Angels manifested even earlier in a three-year-old dance, a form of exercise that has always provided a “great outlet for [Bailey] and a great form of exercise.” So what better way to support victims of the sex trade than by sharing this feeling of release?

Moving with Angels began with Wellspring Living, a nonprofit that confronts the issue of sexual exploitation in Atlanta. These young girls and women actually live in the facility, similar to camp with

volunteer teachers, life-skills, counseling, and “everything you’d need to get your life back on track.” The only missing component was exercise and dance, a component that Bailey is determined to provide.

This goal exists in the form of a dance studio on site, complete with a bar, mirror and work of volunteer interior designers to transform this building into the perfect environment for Wellspring Living. This creative outlet of self-expression is sure to “help with the healing” and create for the victims a safe place to recover and build their lives up once again.

to an unhealthy relationship, they know en have endured, survivors prove that they can call us. Girls have called and said every one of these victims possess the ‘I don’t want to be here strength and opportunianymore. I need help, “I don’t want to be ty to overcome this level help me get out of this.’ adversity. They show here anymore, I of We always believe the Wellspring and other story can be redeemed need help, get me organizations that it is and that the girls are possible for them to get out of this.“ strong enough to make their life back on track. that choice for their life when they are A noted graduate and survivor entered ready.” college as a sixteen year old with dreams Despite the horrors these young wom- to become an accountant. “While these

girls can follow their dreams, it doesn’t undo what has happened to them,” says Baker. “They have to learn to live with that. Wellspring is incredibly grateful to work with these girls because we believe they are incredibly strong.” 

“While these girls can follow their dreams, it doesn’t undo what has happened to them. They have to learn to live with that. [We] are incredibly grateful to work with these girls because we believe they are incredibly strong.”

26

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27

we are

FAMILY The Holy Innocents’ foreign exchange programs: where they started, where they are, and where they’re going.

Spring 2014 | C&G | 28

By Mary Catherine Thomson

F

or a small school community rooted in Sandy Springs, Georgia, Holy Innocents’ has a surprisingly large family, one that stretches far past the Atlanta city limits. Over the past decade, there has been a conscious effort throughout the halls of Holy Innocents’ to promote a school community that is increasingly connected with the surrounding world, and a big part of this global outreach has come through strong foreign exchange programs. These programs have become a part of the HIES culture, and have grown to include sister schools in Japan, France, Argentina, and South Africa.

This year, upper school students will once again participate in cultural exchanges with four distinct schools.

Already, groups of students have played host for Japanese, Argentinian, and South African students as well as traveled to our

29 | C&G | Spring 2014

sister school in France. Two more trips are scheduled for this summer, when HIES students will venture to the sister schools in Japan and Argentina. These travels involve students in grades nine through twelve and mark new and exciting chapters in the ongoing relationships with the different schools. The faces may change, but the larger goal of these programs, that of promoting cultural exposure and fostering new friendships, remains the same.

Given the current strength of the foreign exchange programs, it might be surprising to note that their presence on campus is still relatively new. Just fifteen years ago, the idea of a sister school was still, for lack of a better word, a foreign concept. The first formal foreign exchange wasn’t established until 1999, when Holy Innocents’ welcomed the Asahigaoka Senior High School in

Sapporo, Japan as its first sister school.

This inaugural program was led by then headmaster, Dr. Susan R. Grosbeck, along with faculty members Carol Hahn and Debbie Temple. A group of Holy Innocents’ students and faculty made the first trip to Japan that summer, meeting the Japanese host community for the first time and jumpstarting a tradition that remains strong even today.

The start of the Japanese program was a big step for foreign exchange opportunities at Holy Innocents’, and played a significant role in the development of our school’s exchange initiatives. Practically speaking, the Japanese program set a strong precedent, but more importantly, it created the inspiration that fueled all of the foreign exchange programs that would eventually follow. The power of the experience deeply touched many members of the

Meet the Family....

2

1

1 3

3

Carmen Arriola De Marín Buenos Aires, Argentina

Groote Schuur High School Cape Town, South Africa

first several HIES groups that traveled to Japan, among which was the current foreign language teacher, Gerard Gatoux.

The program itself was very influential for Gatoux and strengthened his dedication to exposing students to different world cultures. At the time of the trip, Gatoux, who was born in Béthoune, France, was already well versed in the area of foreign travel. He moved to the United States in August of 1971, following his service in the French army, in order to attend college. Since his time in college Gatoux has traveled extensively, and to this day, traveling remains one of Gatoux’s true passions, leading him to places all over the world. Therefore, Gatoux was extremely

4

2 4

Lycée Louis Bertrand Brièy, France

Asahigaoka Senior High School Sapporo, Japan

excited when Dr. Grosbeck gave him the opportunity to be part of the Japanese program. “I knew [the program] was going to be successful and wonderful, and I ended up falling in love with the Japanese culture,” Gatoux remembers of the experience.

Gatoux continued to be involved in the Japanese foreign exchange program, returning on multiple occasions with new groups of students to the Asahigaoka School and helping to coordinate the Japanese visits to America. Gatoux’s experience with the program, however, granted him much more than simply an appreciation for Japanese food and culture– it also shaped his vision for the

future of foreign exchange programs at Holy Innocents’. For Gatoux it was simple. “ I saw how successful the Japanese program was, and I didn’t see why we couldn’t do that for all the languages at our school,” he explained.

Over the past ten years, Gatoux has taken major strides toward making this goal a reality, acting as the driving force behind the foreign exchange programs at Holy Innocents’. After several years of involvement in the Japanese program, he began looking for ways to expand foreign exchange opportunities, keeping in mind his goal of creating a network of multiple exchange programs within the school.

The next sister school was established in 30

2006, this time in Brièy, France. With this new addition, Holy Innocents’ welcomed members of the Lycée Louis Bertrand, or Louis Bertrand High School, into its evergrowing family. Shortly after, in 2008, the HIES family grew once again to include the school Carmen Arriola De Marín, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The most recent addition to this thriving and culturally diverse family is the Groote Schuur High School in Cape Town, South Africa, the sister school associated with the South African exchange program.

The formation of the South African program was especially significant, given the fact that it was prompted largely by Holy Innocents’ alumna, Chrissy Orangio (’05), a former student of Gatoux’s, who was studying at the University of Cape Town at the time. Although Orangio was not able to participate in any of the sister school foreign exchange programs during her time at HIES, she was still able to experience the power of travel

through the trip she took to Mexico led

by Gatoux. Orangio kept in touch with Gatoux, and helped him to identify a high school in Cape Town, marking the establishment of HIES’s fourth sister school.

Although each foreign exchange program offers a slightly different experience depending on the specific culture, they all have similar structures and objectives. First and foremost, each program is centered around the home stay experience. In all four cases, students who travel through the program stay with individual families from the host school communities.

As part of this structure, students spend weeknights and much of the weekends with their hosts, granting them the opportunity to experience the everyday life of their host family, which Gatoux argues is a positive, and distinctive, element of the trip. “School is fine and wonderful, but what happens

HIES students and Japanese students at the Swan House in Atlanta

HIES students with South African hosts

31

after school is just as valuable as the time spent in school. With homestays, you get much more culture, and you get to learn what can’t be taught in school or experienced in hotels,” stated Gatoux.

Similarly, when students from the sister schools come to Atlanta they are paired with Holy Innocents’ families for the same effect.

The home stay experience may be a defining point of the programs, but that doesn’t preclude students from enjoying the more “touristy” side of travel.

Activities such as sightseeing, shopping, and dining are still important parts of the programs’ itineraries. While on trips, students spend time exploring the sister school’s community and the surrounding area.

Each site offers unique attractions, and through the exchange programs, students have had the opportunity to see things like the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the Golden Buddhist Pavilion in Kyoto,

Foreign language teacher Gerard Gatoux with Chrissy Orangio in South Africa

the historic cities of Metz and Nancy in France, and the La Bocca neighborhood in Buenos Aires. In addition, as an added bonus, students get to experience all of these sites with their host students, natives of the area. The roles are then reversed when members of our sister schools travel to Atlanta, at which point HIES students have the opportunity to showcase what our city has to offer.

All elements of the foreign exchange programs – the home stay, the sightseeing, the relationships built between the students – when combined, are what make the programs such unique experiences.

But what also sets the exchanges apart from other foreign travel opportunities are the distinct benefits they offer.

On the most basic level, the programs (with the exception of the South African exchange, which involves an English speaking nation) have major impacts on the language abilities of the students.

Unlike other travel programs that do not involve homestays, the Holy Innocents’ foreign exchange programs force students to totally immerse themselves within another culture. The French and Spanish exchanges especially, which typically attract students taking courses in those languages, greatly improve the students’ proficiency levels both in speaking and understanding the language. Senior Ross Waters, who participated in the French exchange, felt that the French program had a large impact on his French skills. “I would say that going to France gave me a purpose to continue studying French.

At the beginning of the trip I made lots of mistakes with verbs and vocabulary, but the program helped me to be open to making mistakes. I was much more confident and fluent by the end,” said Waters.

The programs grant other benefits to students in addition to advancing their

language skills, including exposure to global perspectives and the development of a greater appreciation for different customs and traditions. Ultimately, though, the aspect of the exchanges that students and teachers alike find, hands down, to be the most rewarding is the strong relationships that are formed during the programs.

Over the course of just one or two weeks, students become incredibly close friends with their foreign host students and develop relationships that in many cases last far past the trip itself. As math teacher John Taylor, who is currently involved in the Argentinian exchange, explains, the process is so fast it is almost hard to believe without experiencing it first hand. “I will admit, when I first became involved, I didn’t think any real connection was going to happen. But after watching the students, you could tell they were making potentially these

HIES students spend time with their French friends on a tour of Brièy

Senior Madeleine Gibson welcomes her Argentinian student, Caro, to Atlanta

Gerard Gatoux with Argentinian teachers, Belu Becerra and Cris Couceiro Spring 2014 | C&G | 32

lifelong bonds with someone from across the world,” said Taylor.

Even though Holy Innocents’ students and students at the sister schools come from different countries and varying backgrounds, and sometimes even speak different languages, they are still able to make lasting connections with each other. Part of the beauty of the programs, is that they show students how similar one another are, despite differences that may exist on the surface. For senior Natalie Kessler, this point became clear very quickly while hosting her Argentinian student, Palo.

“We were just laying around on a Saturday eating a bag of baby marshmallows, and I remember thinking, this is what I do with my regular friends. There was really no difference between us, other than that she spoke Spanish way better than I did,” laughed Kessler.

The development of new and strong relationships is not just limited to students. The programs have also given many teachers the opportunity to build lasting friendships with fellow educators from the different sister schools. Holy

Innocents’ math teacher Meredith Many commented, “Well I don’t teach French, but because of the program I now have a very good friend, that I get to see once every other year,” referring to Martine Faye-Gallinnati, the English teacher at the sister school in France. Mrs. Many also added that from a more academic standpoint, “when I traveled to France I got to talk to the other teachers and see what their school was like, and use this as a basis of comparison back at home.”

While other elements of the foreign exchange programs, such as the sightseeing and dining, add excitement and interest to the programs, what distinguishes the programs as truly meaningful experiences are the personal relationships that are formed. Especially in today’s world, where technology like Facebook allows international communication in a matter of seconds, staying in touch after the program is very simple. For Gatoux, watching students build these strong relationships with individuals from entirely different cultures has been one of the highlights of his experience with the programs. “That has been one of my greatest joys, to see students staying friends with the host brother and sisters, and even going back after they graduate,” said Gatoux.

The current foreign exchange programs have been widely successful,

Gatoux with Martine Faye-Gallinnati, English teacher at the Louis Bertrand High School in Brièy, France 33 | C&G | Spring 2014

but even so, Gatoux is always looking for ways to improve the overall experience.

The major long-term goal for the programs is to establish a sister school on every continent over the next five years.

Gatoux also hopes to achieve somewhat smaller goals, such as establishing longer home stay opportunities and getting more teachers in a wider range of departments involved in the exchanges.

For Gatoux though, the real goal is simply for the programs to carry on. “I hope that they will continue, and continue to be successful way after I’m gone,” said Gatoux.

Over the course of fifteen years, the foreign exchange initiatives have grown from a single sister school in Japan, to four formal sister schools located all around the world. Countless students have gained access to other cultures and developed life long friends in the process, and each year this number is steadily increasing. Because of the distinct benefits that these programs offer and the unique experience they provide, they have earned a distinguished spot in the Holy Innocents’ community. Together the foreign exchange programs have helped to extend the Holy Innocents’ community past the confines of Sandy Springs, and have created a globalized family that will hopefully continue to grow in the future.

Gatoux with his Japanese host family

In their own words...

The following pieces are written by past and present students, explaining the impact of the foreign exchange programs in their personal lives.

Travis McKoy

“

...on the South African Exchange Trip

T

his experience was very different from anything I had ever done before even though I had the opportunity to travel extensively in middle school. What made this experience unique for me was that it was not just a trip. When I traveled with my middle school,

Travis McKoy with his South African host, Ian

we went to see the places we had studied all year, but we stayed in a hotel for most of the trip. I was able to live with a Japanese and Australian family before, however, I stayed for three or four days and unfortunately was unable to develop a bond with these families like I did with Ian’s family.

It’s one thing to go to a country and know the history and it’s significance but it’s a completely different experience to be placed right in the middle of a country with regular people that make you feel like you’ve become a native for fourteen days.

”

34

Annie Bennett ...on the French Exchange Trip

“M

y experience with the French Foreign Exchange program has been amazing. As a freshman, I learned that HIES had a sister school in Brièy (northwestern region of), France and each year the schools alternate between hosting and visiting each other.

With my love of the French language and culture, my family couldn’t have been more excited when I brought up the idea of hosting a French girl. My frenchie’s name is Gilliane, which was quickly shortened to “Gigi” by my family.

I will admit, meeting someone new who speaks a completely different language can be a little intimidating at first, but I have never met people more excited and passionate about learning English! Not only did Gigi excel at English, my French improved tremendously and we began to bond over shopping, baking, music – all sorts of things! Gigi became both a close friend, and a part of my family,

and while her leaving us was difficult, I couldn’t be more excited to stay with her family in France the following year. Our trip to France was one of my favorite international travel experiences, as I and seven other HIES students, and Madame Wendy Albrecht, spent our spring breaks experiencing a new country, culture, and traditions. Over the course of a week, we visited our sister school, went skiing in an indoor “mountain”, went to underground mines, shopped at the French markets, and much more! The level of hospitality we received by the families was incredible, and the host parents were so kind and generous to us. Since visiting, I’ve participated in the exchange one more time, hosting a friend I made while visiting

the sister school, Deborah, as a junior.

Anyone who’s every participated in any of the HIES foreign exchange programs knows that saying goodbye is the worst part, but we all try to keep in touch as much as possible. The memories made and experiences shared with new friends are absolutely unforgettable and I’d encourage any HIES student to get involved with such a life-changing program!

”

Annie Bennett with French host students and fellow Holy Innocents’ classamtes in Brièy, France

35

Annie Bennett with her French host family

Yasmine Hicks ...on the Japanese Exchange Trip

“I

’ve been intrigued by the Japanese and their beautiful country and culture since I was a young girl. When I received the incredible opportunity

to be a part of the Japanese Exchange Program in the Summer of 2011 at Holy Innocents’, I was absolutely thrilled; I jumped at the opportunity to appease my desire to travel to the charming country that is Japan. One cannot deny that the American culture is very special and unique; however, it was such an honor to see a glimpse of the Japanese culture, as it is vastly different than the American culture. For the first week of my foreign adventure, I completely immersed myself in the Japanese culture. My classmates and I devoured exotic foods, visited historic temples and shrines, shopped in quirky stores and boutiques, and trekked all over Kyoto. Needless to say, I grew very

close to my classmates while abroad. We were experiencing something unlike what we ever had before, together. I believe experiencing different things inevitably brings people together.

During the second week of the program, I lived with a Japanese family. I’ll never forget the moment I met Anna: my hilarious, sweet, intelligent, and beautiful Japanese exchange partner. As I lived with Anna, I learned just how compatible two people can be. Although she lived thousands of miles away from me, we clicked instantly.

Within hours of meeting one another, we were making jokes, exchanging music, and roaming all over Northern Japan. It was not long before we began calling one another sister.

While in Japan, I learned a lot about the Japanese culture, but I believe one the greatest things I learned was the importance of giving, and doing so unconditionally and with lots of love. In the span of a week, I gained another family.

Six months after leaving Japan, Anna traveled to Atlanta, Georgia and lived with my family and I. My mother, sister, and I were more than thrilled to welcome such a beautiful young lady into our home.

We made memories that will surely

last a lifetime, as we showed Anna around Georgia and showed her different aspects of the American culture.

I believe family is forever. When Anna returned to Japan after living with my family, I had no doubt in my mind that I would speak to her again. Anna and I speak regularly about nearly everything, just as sisters do. I would have never imagined that I would have gained such an incredible addition to my family. My Mom also asks about Anna daily, as she considers her to be another daughter that just so happens to live half way across the world.

I will forever cherish the opportunity I received to travel to Japan and live amongst such a beautiful group of people in a remarkable country. I now have wonderful stories to tell for years to come, not to forget to mention an amazing Japanese family who I will love forever.

”

Yasmine Hicks with her Japanese host sister, Anna.

Jordan McBride ...on the Argentinian Exchange Trip

“I

never knew how similar yet different I could be from someone thousands of miles away until the Holy Innocents’ foreign exchange program I participated in with students from Buenos Aires. Once Mr. Gatoux told our class we were doing it, I was immediately excited because I had always wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country. Never did it occur to me that the trip would be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

We started off with a simple pen pal relationship with the students. Once a week, we would write to various Argentine students. We talked to the entire class and immediately developed connections with them. To be honest, I thought the students were going to be polar opposite from us and it was going to end up being somewhat awkward; however, this opinion soon changed when just after a couple weeks of writing to each other, we already had inside jokes between our two classes.

At first, I was nervous about eventually having to choose who I wanted to be matched up with: the girl would stay at my house for two weeks and I would eventually stay at hers that following summer. How was I supposed to pick?

There is probably only going to be one girl I click with, if that. Words can’t describe how wrong I was. By the time that rolled around, I was finding it difficult to choose simply because I had already developed individual relationships with each and every one of the students. I was shocked to learn how similar they were to us, even though we were thousands of miles apart.

Months passed and we were all anxiousl awaiting their arrival… it was all we talked

37 | C&G | Spring 2014

about for two weeks straight. Every day, we kept growing closer to these students, making a Facebook page so we could easily talk as a group and even Skyping with them when we could. You could say we were like little kids on Christmas Eve; it was the most anticipated event of the school year. I can still remember all of us circling around Alexandra Juneau’s phone waiting for Mrs. Stroman to call to inform us of their arrival. The second that phone rang, we sprinted to the front of the school and saw the HI buses pull up. They were finally here!

The second they stepped off the bus, we bombarded them, already knowing each of their names. It felt like we had been friends with them for years, even though this was our first time meeting in person. We could hardly contain our excitement for the two weeks we had with them. From touring Atlanta to doing cheerleading stunts to dancing at parties, there was never a dull moment.

We spent every waking second together. Just in those short two weeks, I felt like I had fifteen new best friends.

The day they left was probably one of the saddest days of my life. Looking around, I could see tears slowly fall from everyone’s eyes when they started to board the bus back to the airport.

The only thing keeping us happy was knowing we would see them in four short months for our trip to Argentina.

I did not think our experience with them could get any better, but I was wrong again. Seeing the students for a second time was like we had never left.

The trip was absolutely amazing and I was able to completely immerse myself into a new culture. The Argentinians

are incredibly kind and compassionate and it was prevalent everywhere you went. I learned more about the Spanish language and life in general for the two weeks I spent there than I had ever in my life. To this day, I still consider that foreign exchange program the greatest experience I’ve ever had. I still talk to the Argentinians every day and we are already planning on having a reunion with them in the next few years. I will always remember the relationships I made and the diverse culture of Argentina.

Narrowing this expression to one page is not even enough to fully express the happiness, friendships, and knowledge I acquired over this time. Their stay here and my trip overseas represent the two most unforgettable aspects of my high school career.

”

Jordan McBride with her host sister during her trip to Argentina.

Jennifer Corradi

...the Exchange Programs from a foreign perspective

“F

our years ago, I had the chance to meet amazing people form Atlanta.

A group of students from HIES came to our little town in Northeastern France. I hosted a girl named Avery for about ten days. We talked online before, but we did not really know each other.

I was looking forward to meeting her as well as the other students in person. On the day of their arrival, we were all a little bit shy and felt awkward – I guess a long journey and hours of jetlag did not help our American friends. However, we soon overcame the language barrier and got along really well. Avery was not just an exchange student that we received, but she became a friend to me. My family also enjoyed having her home. We were used to host exchange students form Germany, but we had never met any American students before. We had interesting discussions, comparing our respective cultures. Even today, my parents still ask me about Avery.

A year later, it was our time to visit them in Atlanta. I was really excited about this trip. I had been in the United States once before, In Pennsylvania, which was very

different from Georgia.

I discovered a lot about the American culture during these ten days. Of course I learned about American history and school system; but more importantly, living in an American family for ten days made me understand more deeply the American “way of life”. I have to say, I got the chance to be hosted by a wonderful family. Avery’s parents and siblings were very nice to me during my stay and took very good care of me. It meant a lot to me especially since I was not used to being away from home for such a long period of time.

This exchange brought me a lot; it was an enriching human experience. I firmly believe that this kind of program Jennifer Corradi, who attended the Louis should be carried out Bertrand High School and participated in the more often. This exchange allowed us, middle-class 2011 and 2012 exchanges with Holy Innocents’ French students from a reinforced my decision to travel and small town, to broaden our horizons. We may study abroad. And here I am, writing not have had this opportunity this paper form the top of the Canadian otherwise. It enabled both sides Rockies, during my student exchange year to go beyond the stereotypes we in Vancouver, British Columbia. had before.

On a more personal level, this experience also influenced and

”

Brièy, France

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ATLANTA’S HIDDEN GEMS

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Photography by Rian Archer Layout by Lela Johnson

BUCKHEAD Models: Caroline Rose & Jianna Justice

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41 | C&G | Spring 2014

KROG street tunnel Model: Maggie Swain

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DECATUR square Spring 2014 | C&G | 44

farmers marke DECATUR farmers ma 45 | C&G | Spring 2014

et arket 46