May 29, 2025 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Kelly Neville

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren

Introduction of Guests: Amanda Givan

Guests:  Ray McElwee introduced Lisa McElwee

Rotaract/Interact Students: Olafur

Foundation Drawing: Ollie Walter won $10 with $7676.50 in the jackpot.

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Murray Schroeder nominated Todd Pearson for being the WHSAA Official of the Year.

 

 

Program: Youth Exchange Student, Olafur Jonsson

 

Introduction: Caitlin White

 

Olafur will head home to Iceland on July 5. He presented to the club about his time here.

 

Olafur shared his first experiences with the other youth exchange students in our District. He went horseback riding and wore a cowboy hat. At first, the students had trouble understanding one another because of their different accents.

 

He shared memories, such as his baking class at school, ice fishing, hiking, and regular fishing. Olafur also went mountain biking and went skiing.

Olafur went on a backpacking trip with Kelly Neville in the Jackson area. It was a lot of fun, but a challenging experience. He wants to avoid hiking at this altitude in the future.

 

Olafur spent his first three months with Doug and Lisa Faus and family. He then spent the next part of his time with the Drake family, followed by staying with Ray and Lisa McElwee.

 

He spent Christmas with the Drake family. Olafur said it was the hardest part of his exchange to be away from his family for Christmas. He thinks being away did help him grow up and mature.

 

Olafur celebrated his 18^th birthday here. He went sledding, had burgers, and received gifts from his host family.

 

While at school, he enjoyed soccer, even with the travel and busy schedule. He noted that school here is stricter than in Iceland. High school is more like college in Iceland and is optional for students.

 

Olafur will attend the West Coast bus trip in June. This is a two-week trip. He previously went on another Rotary exchange trip to Hawaii. He participated in many activities there and got quite the sun burn.

 

His favorite food while here was Five Guys. He was able to go skiing at Snowy Range and in Jackson and Steamboat.

 

Olafur enjoyed baseball games. They do not have baseball in Iceland. He also was surprised by how fun football games were. He went to prom with a group of friends and was surprised that the dance only had one DJ.

 

Once he is back in Iceland, Olafur is looking forward to seeing his siblings. He has a few fun things planned, and then will start work with his dad doing construction. He still has about a year and a half left of high school in Iceland.

 

Olafur thanked the club for all we have done for him. He noted that this was the best experience and he would recommend it. It was challenging, but worth it. Olafur will miss the travel and freedom of the United States and Laramie.

 

If you would like to follow along with Olafur’s West Coast trip, you can follow him on Instagram: Olafurj07.

 

Response: Ray McElwee

 

 

Of the things we think, say, or do:

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and

  Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All    

  Concerned?

Like us on Facebook!

 

Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org