The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Sandy Gros is an 18 year old senior from a town outside of Stuttgart, Germany called Bruchsal. She has already finished her senior year at home but wanted to have an adventure through an exchange program after a friend had a great year in Texas.

The only child of a Croatian mother and a Serbian father speaks English comfortably and is adding to her language acquisition by studying Spanish at Wahkiakum High School. One day she may add Croatian to her repertoire as well.

She admits she doesn't have much homework these days, but it takes a little longer for her to finish because it's in English.

Her favorite teacher was easily named. Mr. Cox.

Mr. Cox has an advantage.

"He speaks German," Sandy laughed. "He's really nice and he helps me a lot. He's funny. he's awesome."

Weight training is her favorite class. She played soccer for years at home and will try track this spring.

"I love going shopping, drawing and taking pictures of nature," Sandy said. "My house mom loves art and has a whole room for it. Sometimes I go in there and draw."

Sandy is living with her host family, Jerry and MaCrae Putnum on their farm in Germany Creek. She rides the bus 45 minutes twice a day to get to and from school.

"They have cows, chickens, miniature donkeys, dog, cats, and peacocks," she said.

When she returns home, Sandy hopes to get an apprenticeship in hotel management, eventually working as a flight attendant in order to continue her love of travel. Talking to employees at a hotel in the Canary Islands, which her family visits every year, is what drew her to the hospitality trade.

Sandy recently got to spend a weekend in San Francisco and loved it. She would like to see Los Angeles and Seattle before she returns home in June.

"I really love it here," Sandy said of Cathlamet and her experience. "I'm really happy. At first I wasn't sure but I love my host family and everyone is nice. The nature is beautiful."