In July, the Kingston Rotary Club heard from Emma Smith, a long-term exchange student, who will be living and studying in Colombia for a year. Emma is a student at Kingston High School and is sponsored by Poulsbo Rotary. The community is encouraged to follow her blog at emmatravels.com.

On Aug. 12, Kingston Rotary heard from Bailey Brockett and Eleanor (Ellie) Hughes, the club’s short-term exchange students. Bailey’s father, Mitch Brockett, is an optometrist in Kingston and an active member of the Kingston club. Bailey traveled to England for three weeks, where she lived with Ellie’s family. Ellie then traveled back with Bailey and was hosted by the Brocketts, who live in Seabeck.

The Kingston Rotary Club sponsors short-term exchanges like Bailey and Ellie’s. Such exchanges are family-to-family exchanges open to students ages 15-19. The exchanges can range from three to six weeks in length. Interested students complete applications, and matches are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested families should contact the club’s youth exchange officer at demackinnon@hotmail.com.

Emma Smith, a long-term exchange  student, will live and study in Colombia  for a year. Submitted photo.

Learn more about Rotary exchanges and the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club by attending one of our weekly meetings. The Kingston Rotary meets at 11:45 a.m. at the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters station for a luncheon meeting and program.

For more information or directions, contact me at nanj martin@mac.com. We’d love to see some new faces and introduce you to Rotary.