OHCHS students bound for China

OXFORD HILLS — One Oxford Hills teacher with experience in China will lead eight students, two teachers, and one parent to the heart of the most populous nation on the planet next spring.

World History Teacher Craig Blanchard says that the trip is "part of a passion I have for China. I'm trying to make people more aware of China's place in the world."

Over the past several years, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (OHCHS) has developed a sister-relationship with a high school in Jinhua, a city of about 4.6 million people in the Zhejiang province.

Right now a teacher from Zhejiang Normal University Middle School, who is going by the English name of "Helen," is teaching at OHCHS.

Blanchard is still working out the details of the itinerary, but he promises that the trip will steep the American participants in Chinese culture.

"They'll be playing a soccer match, staying with host families, attending classes, and hiking five miles of the Great Wall," said Blanchard.

The group will also visit Beijing, Xian, Cheng Du, and Shanghai. They will visit the Olympic stadium, watch, and perhaps participate, in a kung fu show, see a panda preserve, and visit the famous Terracotta army, a collection of sculpted warriors that is over 2,000 years old.

At the same time, Blanchard says that the students will be representing the United States to the citizens of China.

"We will be seen as representatives of the U.S.," said Blanchard. "We'll be asked about Maine and the US."

The 12 students, who have to fund-raise $3,000 each in trip expenses, seem determined to see the exotic locale, even if they have to dig a hole through the center of the earth to get there.

The group kicked off their first fund-raising activity this week, by offering a prize calendar to members of the community. For $10, a purchaser gets a calendar, and is entered into a drawing for every day of the month. The value of the prizes, many of which have been donated by local businesses, is over $1,200.

"I offered each kid 25 calendars to sell," said Blanchard. "Some of them want 50 calendars. They want to work really hard to make the money."

On November 20, the group is also hosting a table of hand-crafted items at the DECA Craft Fair. The students are accepting donations of hand-made items to sell.

When asked if they were excited to eat authentic Chinese food, the answer was a resounding yes.

For about half of the students, that is. For the other half, it was a resounding no.

Samantha Hatch says that she's most worried about the food. "I eat American Chinese food all the time," she said. The group plans to visit Boston's Chinatown, where Helen will guide them in the ordering of authentic Chinese dishes which are very different.

Laura Farr says that the first challenge for her will be the flight over. "I've never been on a plane before," she said. "The furthest I've ever traveled before has been to Vermont."

The students are preparing in other ways. They are learning about cultural differences in a series of preparatory meetings, which will teach them how to act in a Chinese dining setting, for example (eating in a circle, communal-style dishes, and chopsticks are just the beginning of the differences).

"Me and [classmate Beryl] are looking to have language classes with Han at the Fare Share," said Emma Daybranch.

While they are preparing in different ways, the students are united in their excitement and enthusiasm. They rightly see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I've always wanted to go to another continent," said Jesse Newcomb. "I've been to Middle America."

"I could never go somewhere like this on my own," said Kayla Turner. "People don't really vacation there."

Benin Laliberte says that he's had the opportunity to travel to Ireland with his family before, but this trip has a different feel to it.

"I'm probably more excited about this," he said. "Going with friends is just different."

CHINA-BOUND Photo:

SHOOTING FOR CHINA -- Students and teachers headed to China include, from back left, Benin Laliberte, Logan Boucher, Matt Farnum, Kyle Rainey and, from front left, Sarah Shepley, Craig Blanchard, Jesse Newcomb, Laura Farr, Sam Hatch, Kaya Turner, Emma DayBranch, Ruby DayBranch, Beryl Shepley, and Pamela Chodosh. Not pictured are Nicholas Lacasse, and Lynne Schott.