Jefferson-Morgan receives national recognition for hosting foreign exchange student
Lucia Gallego Gomez, a foreign exchange student from Spain, became a cheerleader at Jefferson-Morgan High School during her year-long exchange. She is pictured with cheerleading coach Andrea Devecka on Senior Recognition Night. (Photo courtesy of Lucia Gallego Gomez)
Jeremy Weaver, left, his wife, Keshia, right, and their children, Alexis, second from left, Bryleigh, second row, and Andrew, front, served as host family for Lucia Gallego Gomez, second from right. (Photo courtesy of Lucia Gallego Gomez)
Courtesy Lucia Gallego Gomez
Courtesy Lucia Gallego Gomez
Lucia Gallego Gomez attended the Jefferson-Morgan Senior Prom, held at 19 North in Washington. The foreign exchange student wanted to attend a high school prom in the United States.
Lucia Gallego Gomez, a foreign exchange student from Madrid, Spain, participated in the Jefferson-Morgan High School musical. She was involved in many extracurricular activities, including the drama club. (Photo courtesy of Lucia Galego Gomez)
Karen Mansfield
Karen Mansfield
Jefferson-Morgan High School foreign Exchange student Lucia Gallego Gomez holds a 鈥淪tart With Yes鈥� plaque she presented to administrators. Gomez, who wanted to do everything she could when she came to the United States, embraced a 鈥淪tart With Yes鈥� philosophy.
Jefferson-Morgan High School has received national recognition for excellence in global education.
The high school, which hosted senior Lucia Gallego Gomez, of Madrid, Spain, for the 2022-23 school year, was awarded the EF High School Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award, presented annually to schools that show commitment to international understanding and global awareness.
For Gomez, who is set to graduate alongside her Greene County classmates on Wednesday, the experience 鈥渉as been amazing.鈥�
鈥淚 will never forget my time in Jefferson, Pa., and I know I will always be welcome here,鈥� said Gomez.
Jefferson-Morgan High School Principal Wesley Loring said Gomez enthusiastically embraced academics and extracurricular activities at the high school and in the community, and was welcomed by students and staff.
Gomez, who holds a 4.0 GPA, joined the cheerleading squad (her favorite activity) and drama club, and attended prom, where she wore a long red dress for the red carpet-themed event.
鈥淪ince the day she walked in, she鈥檚 just been great. She took AP classes and honors classes, she challenged herself. She鈥檚 the model student. She鈥檚 always smiling, she has an upbeat, positive attitude,鈥� said Loring, whose commencement address is inspired, in part, by a 鈥渟tart with yes鈥� plaque Gomez presented to him, a daily reminder of her belief in a person鈥檚 ability to accomplish things big and small by saying 鈥測es鈥� to opportunities and challenges.
Gomez fell in love with American cuisine, especially the quintessential staple 鈥� macaroni and cheese.
鈥淢acaroni and cheese was the first American food that I tried as soon as I got off the plane, and I love it. Anytime I can, I eat mac and cheese,鈥� said Gomez. 鈥淎nd cheesy fries and hamburgers, they are so much better here.鈥�
She is less enamored with the early wake-up and lunch hours of Americans, compared with Spaniards.
In Spain, lunch is served at 2 or 3 p.m., followed by a siesta.
鈥淓verything else is early, too. Waking up at 9 a.m. is late here, but it鈥檚 early for me. School doesn鈥檛 start in Spain until 9 a.m., but here, it鈥檚 7:30.鈥�
Superintendent Brandon Robinson said the exchange program created learning opportunities for both Gomez and Jefferson-Morgan students and staff.
鈥淲e gained a lot with Lucia being here. She鈥檚 always positive, always smiling, she鈥檚 really enjoyable to be around. It鈥檚 made this year special. She鈥檚 had an impact that will last forever at J-M, for every teacher that鈥檚 had her and for teachers who don鈥檛, but got to know her,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淪he鈥檚 made a lot of good friends. It鈥檚 been really good for our students and really good for our teachers.鈥�
Robinson was surprised when he learned the high school had received the Global Excellence Award.
鈥淚 was so proud of our teachers, students and administration on being so flexible to make Lucia one of us, and just giving her every opportunity she wanted,鈥� said Robinson.
Host family Jeremy and Keshia Weaver welcomed Gomez into their home, making her a part of their daily lives and taking her on family trips and outings.
Gomez, who became enamored with Ohiopyle State Park, said the Weavers 鈥渢reated me as their own daughter.鈥�
鈥淚 now have a second family and another place to call home,鈥� said Gomez.
Keshia Weaver congratulated Jefferson-Morgan on the award, saying, 鈥淔rom enrollment on we have gotten so much support and encouragement from the high school administration, principals, teachers, coaches, staff, and students. I could not have asked for a better group of people to help us all through this journey.鈥�
Gomez wants to attend college in the United States 鈥� she visited several universities during her stay 鈥� and plans to major in criminal justice in college, but visa issues and the cost of college tuition might hinder those plans.
Said Gomez, 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure how things will work out, but I definitely want to come back to the United States.鈥�