monticellotimes. com Monticello Graduation • Thursday, June 4, 2026 Page 5
Eight graduates are joining military following high school
A total of eight members of Monticello High School’ s Class of 2026 are planning to enter military service after graduation.
The majority are headed to the Army National Guard, including Brody Drong, Joshua Hendel, Cameron Hogg and Tyler Young, all of whom are enlisted. Devin Lingen is also entering the National Guard as an enlisted member.
Layla Bigelow is joining the U. S. Air Force as an active-duty member.
Peyton Ruzicka and Noah Scherber are both enlisted in the U. S. Army.
Exchange students: Reflecting on their time at Monticello High School
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We had talked before through texts and video calls, but I was nervous to finally meet her in person. She welcomed me with a friend and they had posters that said,“ Welcome to America Emma,” which was really sweet. At first it was hard getting used to living with someone new that I barely knew, but we became close really quickly.
Q: What was your favorite food? Was there anything you didn’ t like?
A: I think my favorite food I tried here was Chick-fil-A. Their fries and sauce are so good. Honestly, I don’ t think there was anything I really disliked, although I’ m not the biggest fan of spicy foods.
Q: Did people call you by different names or pronunciations while you were here?
A: People often misspelled my last name, but I didn’ t really mind because I know foreign names can be hard to pronounce. I got to the point where I misspell it first so people don’ t get confused or I don’ t have to repeat it five times. I actually find it funny.
Q: What activities were you involved in at Monticello High School?
A: In the fall I joined cross country, even though I had never competed in running before in Italy because I used to do gymnastics and swimming. I
Layla Bigelow Brody Drong Joshua Hendel Cameron Hogg Devin Lingen Peyton Ruzicka Noah Scherber Tyler Young
found out I really liked it, and the girls on the team were really nice. I also joined the Prom Committee because I wanted to help prepare what is probably the best night for an exchange student. Right now, I’ m in track and really enjoying it.
Q: What classes did you enjoy most?
A: I loved most of my classes because they’ re taught in a much more fun way than in Italy. My favorites were definitely painting and literature. In Italy you study a lot, but you’ re not always involved in what you’ re doing. Here, everything is more practical and interactive.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Monticello?
A: I’ m really excited to experience prom and graduation. Obviously that also means I’ ll be leaving Monticello soon, so it’ s bittersweet, but I’ m still excited.
Q: Is there anything you’ d like to say to your classmates before the school year ends?
A: I want to thank everyone who was kind to me and included me during the year because they really made this experience special. It’ ll be hard to say goodbye, but I’ m so glad I had the opportunity to meet them.
Samira Thamm of Germany
Q: How did you learn where Monticello was, and what was your reaction when you found out you’ d be spending a year here as an exchange student?
A: My mom and I were out for dinner when she told me I had a host family in Monticello. After that, I spent so much time on Google Maps looking through the area. At first I was a little disappointed that I wasn’ t going to Texas, Florida or California— the states people usually dream about— but then I saw all the lakes and the snow, which I barely get to see in Germany. After that, I became really excited.
Q: What was it like meeting your host family for the first time?
A: I was super excited from the moment I got on the plane, but also nervous. After nine and a half hours of flying and waiting for my visa approval, I finally walked through the airport doors and saw my host family waiting with a big poster for me. That meant a lot because they had spent time making something special for me. At the same time, I worried about whether I’ d know what to talk about with them or if I’ d feel homesick. It was really a rollercoaster of emotions.
Q: What was your favorite food? Was there anything you didn’ t like?
A: One of my favorite foods was Tater Tot Hotdish. The first time I saw it, I had no idea what it was, but I ended up loving it. I also tried Thanksgiving turkey and pie for the first time, plus
places like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’ s and Wendy’ s that I’ d seen all over TikTok. My German friends were jealous. Chick-fil-A sauce totally won my heart. The one thing I didn’ t like was Taco Bell— I guess Mexican food just isn’ t for me.
Q: Did people call you by different names or pronunciations while you were here?
A: At first, hearing my name pronounced in English felt strange to me and especially to my mom. Sometimes I didn’ t even realize people were talking to me. Over time, though, I got used to it, and now it’ s almost weird hearing my name pronounced the German way again.
Q: What activities were you involved in at Monticello High School?
A: Joining the track team was probably the best decision I made. In Germany, school sports aren’ t really a thing, so having practice every day was a huge adjustment. But I quickly started loving it and meeting new people. It made me happier and more outgoing.
I especially want to thank coaches and teammates who made me feel welcome and supported throughout the season. My advice to everyone is: Don’ t be afraid to try new things. You can always quit later, but you can’ t get those experiences back.
Q: What classes did you enjoy most?
A: My favorite classes were history with Ms. Leuthner and interior design with Ms. Ambrosius. In history we watched interesting documentaries, made posters and heard funny personal stories. In interior design, we got to design and build our own houses out of cardboard, which was really creative and fun.
Q: What are your plans after leaving Monticello?
A: Before I leave in June, I just want to enjoy my last month as much as possible by spending time with friends and family and taking a trip to Duluth. When I return to Germany, I’ ll continue high school with majors in English and history, and after 13th grade I plan to attend college.
Q: Is there anything you’ d like to say to your classmates before the school year ends?
A: I want to thank everyone for such an amazing year— for all the classes, lunches, practices and football games, which were one of my favorite parts of the experience.
I especially appreciate everyone who included me and helped me when I first arrived. Starting school without knowing anyone is scary, and even small acts of kindness made a huge difference. I’ ll never forget the friendships and memories I made here. And even though I have to leave in June, I definitely plan to come back someday.