Barker High School has joined AFS-USA in bringing the world to students, teachers and community through inviting an exchange student sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to Barker High School during the 2024-2025 school year. Barker has earned a medallion because Qiessa Alwani from Indonesia is part of the YES Program.

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) was initiated in 2002 to build bridges between Americans and people in countries of strategic importance. This program includes scholarships for U.S. high school students to study abroad and for students from countries such as Indonesia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Thailand to be part of U.S. schools for the academic year.

"This medallion should be seen as a symbol of both recognition and pride as it marks a decision that Barker has made to expose our students to diverse cultures, attitudes, beliefs, and languages helping them be life-ready no matter where their next steps take them," stated Jill Woerner, Senior Director of Education and Outreach to Schools AFS Intercultural Programs – USA.

In the spring, a certificate will be presented to Barker HS as another gesture of gratitude.

(Right): Qiessa Alwani displays an apple she used in a drawing in Ms. Feltz's HS art Drawing class. See her artwork below.