Buzzz In Brief: Riverbank families sought for exchange program

Riverbank families sought for exchange program

Riverbank families wanting to learn more about the world but without the time or means to travel can have the world come to them — by hosting an exchange student.

Nacel Open Door, an international student exchange organization based in St. Paul, Minn., will welcome nearly 500 international high school students from more than 25 countries to the United States for the upcoming school year. Applications are now being accepted for families interested in hosting a student.

During their stay, students attend high school in the host family's community.

Student have their own health insurance and spending money. Host families provide room and board and help share the "American experience" with the students, whose aim is improving their English language usage and developing their role as citizens of the world.

Nacel Open Door is a J-1 exchange program sponsor under the designation of the U.S. Department of State and has a full listing by the Council on Standards for International Education Travel.

Families interested in hosting an exchange student should contact either Carol or Susan Berger by email: arielpdog@charter.net or carolbergernod@aol.com. For more information, call (209) 502-7468 or visit www.nacelopendoor.org.

Hilmar Cheese Co. offering scholarships

Hilmar Cheese Co. is accepting applicants to its 11th annual scholarship program. College scholarships are available to high school seniors and college students with an agricultural major and living in Stanislaus or Merced counties. The company also offers scholarships to children of employees and to the children of the dairy farm families who ship their milk to Hilmar Cheese.

Selection of recipients is based on academic performance, financial need, community activities and future ambitions.

The scholarship program was created to reflect Hilmar Cheese's continued support of higher education and its commitment to employees, dairy farm families and the agricultural industries.

Applications are being accepted through March 15. For more information, visit the About Us section, Community Responsibility page at www.hilmarcheese.com.

Huggable Heroes nominations wanted

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes program, now in its 10th year, is accepting nominations for young people ages eight to 18 who are doing their part to make the world a better place.

Deadline is Feb. 28.

Ten Huggable Heroes each will receive $10,000, which includes an educational scholarship, a donation to a charity of their choice, and a mentoring scholarship to support their charitable entrepreneurships.

In celebration of the 10th birthday of its Huggable Heroes program, Build-A-Bear Workshop is joining forces with the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, one of the nation's top community service recognition programs.

Through the Jefferson Awards' Globechangers training and mentoring systems, the newest generation of philanthropists recognized by Build-A-Bear Workshop will be equipped with the tools they need to build a lifetime of public service. To nominate a Huggable Hero visit, www.buildabear.com/huggableheroes.

Young poets contest is accepting entries

The 18th annual Aileen Jaffa Young Poets Contest is open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade living in or attending school in Stanislaus County. Each student may submit up to three entries at $1 per entry.

Poems may be any style, no longer than 24 lines. Poems must be the original creative work of the student. Postmark deadline for submissions is midnight April 12. Winners will be notified by May 10.

Students will receive their awards and the winning poems will be read at an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. May 18 in the auditorium of the Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I St., Modesto.

The contest includes the following awards: first, $25; second, $15; third, $10. Awards will be offered in each of the four categories: Category l, grades K-3; Category 2, grades 4-6; Category 3, grades 7-9; Category 4, grades 10-12.

In addition, the Modesto Branch of the National League of American Pen Women will award a $60 Aileen Jaffa Outstanding Poem award in each of two combined categories: category 1 and 2, and category 3 and 4.

These awards are to honor the memory of Aileen Jaffa, the founding president of the Poets of the San Joaquin and member of the Modesto Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. Carol David, the current president of the Modesto Branch of the NLAPW will present the awards.

Forms are available at schools, the McHenry Museum, Mistlin Gallery, the libraries in Modesto and Salida, or by calling Cleo Griffith at (209) 543-1776.