Brazilian exchange student will return

Dani Ramos’ last day at Wahkiakum High School was Friday. Soon she will be headed back home to Espirito de Santo, Brazil, a town of three million people just outside of Rio de Janiero, with her host mom Carolynn Wishon in tow.

She’s been in our community for four months now and her bright smile speaks volumes about the good experience she has had here. She speaks warmly of Wishon and the good friends she has made. And she feels safe here, something she never feels in Brazil.

“This is an awesome small town. I like that everybody knows everybody,” Ramos said. “Brazil is a dangerous country. I can’t even walk down the street with my phone in my hand.”

At 17, this is her last year of high school. In the fall, she will begin classes in engineering at the Universidade Vila Velha. She loves to help people and hopes to study psychology as well.

Her favorite class was environmental science with Mr. Rooklidge, mostly because it was an opportunity to be outside.

“I love to feel the air of Cathlamet,” she said. It’s very different from Brazil, where she lives 10 minutes from the beach. The beach is very different from our own, where Ramos was shocked to need a coat.

Ramos has also enjoyed her time in Ms. Haberlach’s math class.

“She’s funny and nice,” Ramos said. “She even had a party for me my last day.”

She discovered a love for football and will miss going to games.

She is also excited to continue traveling. Her first adventure to Cathlamet has been positive and while here she was able to travel to Utah and California.

“I will come back for sure,” Ramos said with a wide grin.