He had one dream in America: Jonathan Sun, Wu-Yen wanted an autograph from Portland Trailblazers’ all-star Brandon Roy.

For months, the 16-year-old from Taiwan had pursued his goal by writing e-mails to the ‘Blazers, by going early to games at the Rose Garden. When he spoke to the Portland Pearl Rotary Club in May, he echoed the RI theme of ’08-09. “I am trying the ‘make (my) dream real’ by getting Brandon Roy’s autograph.”

It appeared the goal would be unfulfilled until…

Jonathan’s final meeting with Pearl Rotarians was June 30 two days before his return to Taipei. Before he spoke, past president Walt Swan made a surprise presentation. “What is it?” was the look on the exchanger’s face as he opened the bag? It was a Leatherman tool, something Jonathan had never seen. But the promotional gift from the Blazers to ticket-holders had what Jonathan had wanted: It was signed by Roy.

Jonathan couldn’t believe it. His smile was ear-to-ear as club members cheered. In his luggage going home, along with much Blazer paraphernalia, was the signature of his favorite basketball player.

Jonathan, at the podium, recapped his year to Rotarians and guests that included his third host parents, Dave and Lynne Bangsund. He was grateful “for everyone who did something for me you didn’t need to do that, but you did…

“This has been a great experience, getting along with people from different countries, people with different opinions. I was becoming part of an international village.”

The year changed him, he admitted, making him “less of a show-off.” Being exposed to other cultures was a benefit, he added. And he leaves with an appreciation for America: “This is a free country, but everybody has to be responsible for what they do.”

Jonathan’s flight home Thursday, July 2, took him first to Tokyo before arriving home in Taiwan.

He left PDX wearing two blazers: His sport coat with the Rotary insignia…with his coveted black and red Brandon Roy uniform underneath.

It was a heartwarming Rotary scene at Portland Pearl’s March 24 meeting when the mother of Jonathan Sun Wu-Yen, our Taiwanese youth exchange student, visited. Joy Huang is the past president of the Taiwan club that sponsored Jonathan’s year. He has been hosted by PPRC, attends LincolnHigh School, has become a energetic Trailblazers’ fan, and is a regular attendee at Tuesday morning meetings. Joy and President Don Barney exchanged banners…and Joy, after verbally expressing her gratitude for hosting her son, handed out pens and shared a basket of Taiwan noodles.

Sushi was “absolutely amazing.” Festivals in Japan were highly attractive–including the cherry blossom event in Sapporo. And she “really got into” kendo, a Japanese martial arts activity similar to fencing in her native USA.

Those were among the highlights that Jill Fischer told the Portland Rotary Club Aug. 19 about her youth exchange year in Hokkaido, Japan.

Jill attended a Buddhist high school where she played clarinet in a performance. High school trips to places like Osaka, Tokyo and Okinawa were memorable events and provided lasting friendships. She was in Japan for 11-1/2 months on Rotary’s long-term program.

She returns to Portland for one more year of high school–before beginning and college career which will likely concentrate on music or literature. “I hope to go to a college with an exchange program,” she said. “I definitely  want to go back (to Japan) eventually.”

Jill was accompanied by her parents, Mark and Tracy Fischer. Also attending were her two Japanese natives–Katsumi Itoh, District 5100 chair of youth exchange (from Salem Sunrise club), and Takuro Uehara, a Rotary ambassadorial scholarship graduate student at Portland State University (PPRC is his host).

Australia, Japan, Brazil, Czech Republic–these are among the countries that have connections, through youth exchange, with the Portland Pearl Rotary Club.

At our Dec. 11 meeting, Rotarians had a surprise visit from Beck Edgar, our inbound in 2003-4 (January arrival) from Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia. She is currently attending Australian Catholic University on a scholarship, where she is studying nursing. Beck will graduate in a year, and is interested in coming to Portland after she completes her training. During Brag for a Buck, Beck championed PPRC’s involvement with y.e., and specifically the embrace she felt during her year here. After the meeting, she was pictured with Dave Bangsund (president during her stay) and current President Ivy Nelson. She was also greeted by Jerry Baysinger, her club officer for y.e.

An e-mail from outbound Jill Fischer, now four months into her year in Hokaiddo, Japan, reports her busy agenda. She celebrated her 19th birthday in November and recently visited Kyoto and Okinawa on a class trip. Her recent experiences have included praying at a Buddhist temple while sitting in “seeza”; celebrating Thanksgiving with karaoke; urging world peace with paper cranes she offered at a statue; and witnessing, not imbibing, a Japanese drink called HabuSake. “Yep, you guessed it! They actually put the extremely deadly snake that lives in Okinawa into alcohol and drink it.” Jill closed, about her trip: “More than getting to see more of Japanese culture and history, I really got a chance to build stronger connections with my friends at school. The holidays are coming up…happy holidays to everyone!”

Bara Kloubova, PPRC’s current inbound from the Czech Republic, is now with the Fred and Maureen Wearn family (and daughter, Anna, a senior at Lincoln). Bara regularly attends Tuesday meetings, came with the Misars (her second family) to the holiday gathering at 10,000 Villages, helped assemble gift packages on Dec. 16, and enjoyed her Oregon Christmas. She continues to run and is planning on joining the Cardinal track team (after a stellar cross country season in the fall). Snow on Hood beckons for Bara, too, and she plans on joining club members on Jan. 28 for the Hood River Rotary’s ski day. Bara will be snowboarding.

Bara spoke Jan. 22 at the PPRC weekly meeting–stating that language growth, self-confidence, more flexibility and increased independence have been benefits from her exchange year. She also reported that her parents are coming in June for a two-week visit. “I really miss my family,” she said. “I think I will faint when they off the plane.” The year in the USA has also given her greater appreciation of her home country. “Before I wanted to leave the Czech Republic, but not now.” She plans a career in medicine (the same profession as both of her parents.)

Jerry Baysinger also received a holiday greeting from Luana Botter from Brazil, 2001-2002 inbound. Jerry remembers: “Luana was disappointed when she first applied–another candidate was selected. Instead of giving up, she became president of her high school’s Interact Club and applied the next year. When I introduced her to the club, she had big alligator tears streaming down her face as she explained that coming here had been her dream. She made the most of the opportunity, winning the hearts of everyone in the club, the district and each of her host families.”

Luana is in medical school in Sao Paulo and has two years to go. She wrote: “I had college break last month. Last week, I started working in the University Hospital. I am taking care of the pregnant women. Soon, I’ll be doing the delivery. It’s very hard each day. I get home very tired.

“I always think and talk about you all,” Luana closed about PPRC members. “I really wanna go to visit everyone some day.”

While Beca and Luana have fond memories of their exchange year, and while Jill and Bara enjoy their current experiences, Rebekah Howard of Molalla has had her first orientation for her ’08-09 outbound year. Rebekah came Jan. 22 for Bara’s presentation and told the club she’d like an Argentina placement, but is open to a number of countries including Russia and Turkey. She’ll learn of her country after the Eastern Oregon orientation weekend in February.

Barbora (“Bara”) Kloubova, a 17-year-old Rotary International youth exchange student from the Czech Republic, arrived in Portland on August 18 to begin a full year in Oregon. Sponsored by the Pearl Rotary Club, she will attend Lincoln High School. Bara will be met at Portland International Airport by a delegation of Pearl Rotarians and members of her first host family for the year. (Hats off to Bart Millar, LHS teacher, who identified and obtained commitments from all the families for the Youth Exchange Committee.)

Bara will have three host families — the Schads (Steve), the Wearns (Maureen) and the Misars (Coleen), all with daughters attending Lincoln High School. During her year here, Bara will be involved with Pearl Rotarians including frequent attendance at Tuesday morning meetings, and share experiences at special events with about 50 inbound students in District 5100.

The daughter of Martin (a surgeon) and Marketa ( gynecologist), Bara has studied English, German and Latin at her high school in her home town of Ceske Budejovice. She is a cross country runner, has two younger sisters, and has hopes of some day being a doctor herself.

“We are very excited to have Bara come to Portland and be part of our Club’s activities,” Pearl Rotary youth exchange officer Don Smith said. “Her application promises a superb student and we as a club vow to fulfill those expectations of Bara and her family.”

Barbora (“Bara”) Kloubova, a 17-year-old Rotary International youth exchange student from the Czech Republic, will arrive in Portland about August 20 to begin a full year in Oregon. Sponsored by the Pearl Rotary Club, she will attend Lincoln High School.

Bara will have three host families, be involved with Pearl Rotarians including frequent attendance at Tuesday morning meetings, and share experiences at special events with about 50 inbound students in District 5100.

The daughter of Martin (a surgeon) and Marketa ( gynecologist), Bara has studied English, German and Latin at her high school in her home town of Ceske Budejovice. She is a cross country runner, has two younger sisters, and has hopes of some day being a doctor herself.

“We are very excited to have Bara come to Portland and be part of our Club’s activities,” Pearl Rotary youth exchange officer Don Smith said. “Her application promises a superb student and we as a club vow to fulfill those expectations of Bara and her family.”

A first host family, living in the Lincoln HS district as required by Portland Public Schools, has been secured. They will host Bara through the Thanksgiving weekend. A family for the third stint (mid-March to about July 1) from LHS has expressed a strong interest, Smith said. The youth exchange committee continues to seek a second family. Inquiries about hosting Bara can be made to Smith at 503-780-9672 or donaldqsmith@yahoo.com.

Pearl Rotary’s outbound student for the coming school year, Jill Fischer, will be headed for Japan, also in August. Jill is scheduled to speak to Pearl Rotary on August 7 before her departure.