By Kenzie Gamlin | HCCSC Communications Intern
Current Huntington North High School junior Gloria Friesen has the opportunity to travel across seas to Spain this summer to participate in the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages. Friesen has taken Spanish courses for many years and is excited to immerse herself in the language and culture.
This program is looked upon highly as one that ensures learners of a foreign language an increase in skill and fluency. From the beginning to the end of the program, participants speak solely in their target language—for Friesen, Spanish.
To help pay for the trip that stretches many weeks, from June 5 to July 29, former HNHS teacher Dede Rippetoe-Reed has worked with Matt Ditzler of the Community Foundation of Huntington County and has graciously offered Friesen a $5,900 scholarship. Rippetoe-Reed offers this scholarship annually for HNHS students interested in the summer study-abroad program.
Rippetoe-Reed participated in a similar program when she was a similar age to Friesen and believed the life-changing trip should be available for anyone who is truly interested in it. Rippetoe-Reed has said that the mastery of a foreign language has enriched her life in many ways and has given her opportunities that were not deemed possible for her previously.
Along with the initiative to learn more Spanish, Friesen is also a scholar-athlete. She stands in the top 25 in her class while simultaneously competing in soccer and track and managing the swim team during the winter.
Friesen’s application to this scholarship and program stood out greatly and she is very excited and grateful for the ability to connect with others on this trip and further her Spanish-speaking skills.