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Your reporter notes that Theo told us of the events of his past year in our midst. Further, he discussed his classes at Pagosa Springs High School (favorites: wilderness skills and global sciences), he shared some observations about differences between life in the US and Denmark (his next level of schooling is referred to as secondary school, which will extend three years and, he expects, be followed by study at a university), and he described his summer travel plans, a thirty day trip around the US beginning next week.
But it’s well-nigh impossible to do full justice to Theo’s talk. Words can be recalled, so your reporter can relate that Theo described participating in many area attractions and activities — ranging from a visit to Keyah Grande, to hunting, to hiking, to skiing and snow sports in all forms as both a participant and spectator (at the X-Games), and on nearly without end. But merely to list events he described is inadequate. Perhaps what it boils down to is this: to the listener, it seems Theo may have put more into one year than many people put into a life.
But somehow, even that assessment still falls short. To this reporter, the telling point is that as a student at Pagosa Springs High School, Theo had the curiosity and gumption to participate in two sports (baseball and wrestling, one where they throw a hard object at you and the other where they try to beat you up) that he had never even seen before. Taking on such adventures was apparently as normal to Theo as tying one’s shoes, but the openness of mind to welcome challenges like these is something not found every day.
Theo told us his year in Pagosa Springs was the “Best year of my life.” That was gratifying to know, but it would be only fair to say that Theo’s visit was rewarding to our community too. Visits from young folks like Theo coming to us from around the world exemplify the value of the Rotary Exchange program.
