Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) students from across Rotary District 5470 gathered in Pagosa Springs for a year-end celebration before they depart for their home countries after experiencing a school year in Colorado. The weekend included visiting many fun destinations in Pagosa Springs including a group photo, with country flags, at the iconic Continental Divide sign atop Wolf Creek Pass. The gentleman holding the Rotary flag is a Rotarian from Alabama that happened to be at the location with his wife and recognized the Rotary t-shirts.
By Lisa Scott and Terri House
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) students from across Rotary District 5470 gathered in Pagosa Springs last weekend for a memorable year-end celebration filled with adventure, connection, and cultural exchange.
Hosted by the Rotary Club Youth Exchange Committee and Pagosa’s own exchange student, Wennei Chan from New Taipei, Taiwan, the weekend included attending the Thursday night rodeo, soaking in the hot springs, visiting the Wildlife Park, and a group photo at the iconic Continental Divide sign atop Wolf Creek Pass. A highlight of the weekend came Friday evening, when students had a potluck dinner with members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs and other youth exchange leaders. The evening was filled with stories, laughter, and the warm fellowship that defines Rotary.
The students spent the weekend camping under the stars, playing games, and sharing reflections on their exchange experiences in the United States. It was a fitting celebration of friendship and global understanding—cornerstones of the RYE program. Fourteen students attending the celebration and their host Rotary Club affiliation include:
• Pagosa Springs: Wennei Chan from Taiwan;
• Aspen: Johannes Sobotka from Austria;
• Carbondale: Laura Wozniak from Poland and Oguzalp Felek from Turkey;
• Crested Butte: Matias Bonnaterre from Argentina;
• Delta: Eliska Cubovaj from Czech Republic;
• Durango: Chloe Galy from France and Jed Kabogoza from Uganda;
• Edwards/Vail: Marcell Baka from Hungary;
• Glenwood Springs: Sigrid Zetterstrahm fro Sweden;
• Grand Junction: Constantin Rudolf from Germany;
• Montrose: Catarina Pezzali from Brazil;
• North Fork Valley: Takuya Ohashi from Japan;
• Telluride: Chochi Rubio from Columbia.
• Pagosa Springs: Wennei Chan from Taiwan;
• Aspen: Johannes Sobotka from Austria;
• Carbondale: Laura Wozniak from Poland and Oguzalp Felek from Turkey;
• Crested Butte: Matias Bonnaterre from Argentina;
• Delta: Eliska Cubovaj from Czech Republic;
• Durango: Chloe Galy from France and Jed Kabogoza from Uganda;
• Edwards/Vail: Marcell Baka from Hungary;
• Glenwood Springs: Sigrid Zetterstrahm fro Sweden;
• Grand Junction: Constantin Rudolf from Germany;
• Montrose: Catarina Pezzali from Brazil;
• North Fork Valley: Takuya Ohashi from Japan;
• Telluride: Chochi Rubio from Columbia.
Organizing the weekend activities was the local RYE Committee, Lisa Scott, Ronnie Doctor and Granton Bartz. Other RYE coordinators attending and participating in the weekend activities included John Stroud from Carbondale, Sally Corcoran from Vail/Edwards, and Kristi Redlinger and Mari Garland from Grand Junction.
Rotary clubs have been facilitating international student exchanges since the 1920s, making it one of Rotary’s longest-running and most impactful programs. It became an official program of Rotary International in 1975, and Pagosa Springs hosted its first student in 1978, and the program continues to open hearts and minds around the world. For more information on becoming an exchange student or a host family, visit PagosaSpringsRotary.org or mountainandplainsrye.com and contact Lisa Scott, (970) 749-4268.
