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FD teens ready to continue youth exchange with Kosovo

Four area teenagers are preparing to travel to Kosovo this summer as part of a continuing youth exchange linking the sister cities of Fort Dodge and Gjakova.

That exchange will also bring some teens from Kosovo to Fort Dodge.

Cayden Brinton, Tyreike Mericle, and Olivia Mitchell from Fort Dodge Senior High School will join Nathan Montgomery, of St. Edmond High School, on the August trip. Maddie Brehm, from Fort Dodge Senior High School, is on deck as an alternate for the trip.

Last year, four Fort Dodge Senior High School students, accompanied by high school counselor Jolene Hays, went to Kosovo. There, they spent time at both Camp TOKA and Gjakova.

”It’s very empowering to the youth,” said Hays, who will accompany this year’s group to Kosovo.

She said the students are busy raising money to pay for their trip.

”The students have really put their hearts and souls into raising money,” she said. ”It’s not just a free trip for them.”

The youth exchange is a partnership between the schools, the city of Fort Dodge and the 4-H International Culture Club sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Students from Kosovo will arrive in Iowa in late June. They will join Iowa students for a Global Citizenship Camp at Cloverwoods Camp and Retreat near Madrid from June 29 to July 1.

Four of the Kosovo students will spend about three days in Fort Dodge.

The Fort Dodge students will travel to Kosovo in early August. The exact dates for that trip haven’t been announced.

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