Features: A Message from Claes Nobel A Message from Outgoing Student Council Advisory Board Highlights New Student Council College-Bound Advice The Value of Taking AP Classes Begin College Applications Now My Take on the SAT Getting a Head Start Never Hurt Anybody Spotlight on Service -- From your own Backyard to a Nicaragua Village The Power of Committed Citizens -- Helping the Poor in Nicaragua J.M.H. Academy Volunteer Effort -- Cordele, Georgia, Health and Rehabilitation Center Giving Back to Your Local Community Special Opportunities -- Students Take Advantage of Exciting Programs AFS Exchange Program -- Living in Brazil Summer Business Institute -- LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) Summer in Switzerland for Natasa Kovasevic Food for Thought For the Devout Carb-Quitters: New Bread that is Literally Nothing Living Successfully Member Highlight -- Summer in Switzerland for Natasa Kovasevic On Sunday, May 23, 2004,at the annual Awards Ceremony following the National French Examination, Natasa Kovacevic was presented with a scholarship to travel to Switzerland during the summer, to immerse herself in the Swiss culture on "an unforgettable French-language adventure." The scholarship, made possible by Ambassador Ridha Bouabid and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, was awarded in recognition of Natasa's perfect score in the 4th Level of the exam. In 2004, nearly 100,000 students throughout the United States participated in Le Grand Concours (the National French Examination) administered by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). In 2003, Natasa took the Concours for the first time, and earned a ranking of second place nationally in her level. A sophomore at Mountain Lakes High School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, she has been studying French for several years. The four-week trip is sponsored by the Experiment in International Living, an expansive program that provides "experimenters" around the world with the opportunity to experience other cultures and ways of life. After an orientation in Geneva, Natasa and her Experiment group will visit picturesque Neuchatel for a home stay with a Swiss family. Following the home stay, the experimenters will embark on a voyage of ecological discovery, exploring Switzerland's natural wonders through a variety of outdoor activities. Natasa says that she is immensely grateful to the AATF, Ambassador Ridha Bouabid, and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for providing her with such a marvelous opportunity. She would particularly like to thank Madame Linda Brady, her gifted and dedicated French teacher, who has inspired her with a love and passion of the French language. This is sure to be a splendid experience, and we look forward to hearing from Natasa in the fall after her summer in Switzerland! << Back to Journal Home page