Bill Reed:  

Since those gentle days of high school, life has been interesting. Funny thing, nearing the age that most of us are approaching, I find myself associated with a high school as a substitute, a volunteer, and a host parent. The last part has been the most fun. Remembering our exchange student, Anne-Brit Kolsto, as I traveled the world in uniform for 30 years, it was a sad day when that adventure ended. Interacting with the rest of the world became challenging. When the opportunity arose in 1995, my wife, Karen, and I began hosting short term (less than two months) students. Mostly European, the were interesting. In 2001, an auspicious year to begin a more challenging, worldly endeavor, we began hosting 10 month students. To date, we have hosted 28 10 month girls from 18 different countries, some Asian, some European, and all major religions. It has been an awesome experience. The nest has never been empty to this point. It is exciting as 24 have remained in touch even after their time here. They have gone on to be PhDs, lawyers, economists, caring people who serve others by teaching women of their rights in the Muslim world, using art as therapy for disturbed and traumatized children, and work that attempts to make the world a better place. We are humbled by their paths. The big lesson, for all that have not had the opportunity for a more world centered life, is that teenagers, the world over, are very much alike. They are seldom if ever fanatics. As one of my military bosses once said, "It takes adults to really screw kids up." He was, in my opinion, correct. Most kids are more open-minded and accepting than adults. We could learn a lesson from them. With the 2016 political theater demonstrating a variety of very disturbing plot lines and...Expand for more