BRANCHVILLE -- Five foreign exchange students have called Branchville and its high school home during the 2006-2007 school year.

Elisabeth Grundman from Dresden, Germany is being hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Howard Westbury.  Mrs. Westbury is a teacher at Branchville High. Anh "Ann" Nguyen from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Supisara "Icing" Manchakra from Bangkok, Thailand both live with their host parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith. Jessica "Jess" Spanblochel from Niederostarach, Austria is hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dukes, and Sina Tuchscheerer from Schnarrtanne, Germany is staying with Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Vickers.

"Our foreign exchange students add a very positive cultural diversity to our student body and our community of Branchville," said BHS principal George Benton. "They are so polite, respectful and appreciative of their opportunity to visit and learn in our great country, state and community. Each one is special and each shares his or her special personality and talents with our teachers and our students. All five of our visitors arrived with some English language background, but being placed in an environment of total immersion, they have greatly enhanced their skills."

During a recent character trait presentation to Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four for the trait generosity, the students made comments in English as well as their native languages, and Nguyen closed the presentation with a song in Vietnamese.

"I wish all my students had the same great work ethics that my foreign exchange students have demonstrated," said Debbie McConnell, senior English teacher and BHS who teaches all five of the exchange students. "They are truly interested and involved in their academic pursuits. They have managed to excel in many of our literary masters."

It is rare for a small high school and community like Branchville to have so many foreign exchange students at the same time.

"We are very fortunate to have host families willing to provide this opportunity," said BHS teacher David Hess said. "This is an example of the friendliness and warmth of the Branchville community."

No matter where you turn at BHS, it seems these five young ladies have made an impact. 

"Our foreign exchange students have provided a positive experience for all of us at Branchville High School this year," said Ima Jean Walters, BHS's math department head. "Their attitudes and work ethics have set an example for our students to follow."

Even coaches remarked about the positive influences of sportsmanship that the visiting students brought to the court and field -- Tuchscheerer in volleyball and Spanblochel in soccer -- and according to Dee Edwards, BHS guidance counselor, all five students passed to the state exit exam, HSAP, on their first attempt.

"I congratulate and commend the host families of each of the exchange students," Benton said. "This is a very unselfish commitment and shows the warm and caring nature of the Branchville community."

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