Galena school celebrates inaugural year in American Exchange Project; board urged to continue support

The Galena Area School District heard a presentation on the American Exchange Project during its meeting, where a teacher who organized the program and a student who participated asked the board to continue backing the domestic exchange program that hosted nine students and sent nine students from Galena this summer.

Mrs. Jenkins, who organized the district’s participation, told the board the American Exchange Project is a two-week program that pairs recent high school graduates with host communities elsewhere in the country and provides travel at no cost to participating students. She said Galena was the first Illinois school to participate this year and that the district hosted eight students and sent nine to communities nationwide.

Jenkins thanked local volunteers, host families and donors — including the Kiwanis Club and the Galena Education Foundation — for financial and in-kind support that made the program possible for low-income students. She credited local host families and community partners for arranging activities that showcased Galena, and she said organisers are considering fundraising steps and parent involvement to expand student participation in future years.

Student Sarah Bello described her placement in Kingston, Massachusetts, and told the board the trip was “life changing,” citing museum visits, a Red Sox game, whale watching and friendships formed with travel and hometown students. Sarah said she would not have been able to make the trip without the program’s financial support and that the experience inspired academic and career thinking for several participants.

Board members praised Jenkins and the students and discussed continuing support. No formal board action was required; Jenkins asked the board to continue approval and logistical support so the district can host and send students for future exchange cycles.