After traveling to many places Claudio D’Eramo, junior, finds himself grateful for his time stateside and enjoys the experiences that he has had here in America.

“I am really lucky to be here,” D’Eramo said.  “I have been to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Yellowstone, Oklahoma, New York, Colorado, West Kansas, and New Mexico.  The most different thing I have ever done here in America is when I went to New Mexico for spring break and I camped out, it was really nice on the white sand desert.”

Although he doesn’t think our food is the greatest he enjoys Mexican cuisine, Especially from the chain restaurant On the Border.

“[The food] sucks, except for Mexican food.  I think [I like Mexican food] because it is the closest food to Italian food,” D’Eramo said.

D’Eramo enjoyed the way our school system works.  Most of all he loved the dedicated teachers and spirited students.

“[The teachers] are really kind and really, really, really passionate.  They are more dedicated to their work,” D’Eramo said.  “Here we have spirit, the best part of each sport and event is the National Anthem.”

We are ethnically diverse, something D’Eramo finds refreshing and interesting.

“The school is actually really good and [I like] the architecture and all the people I have meet here, they have been really kind to me and are my friends,” D’Eramo said.  “I feel like home and the most beautiful thing about Topeka High is diversity.  Another cool thing is when you speak with someone they say their parents are from different parts of the world’s.”

Going from host family to host family D’Eramo has made lasting bonds with those he has stayed with.

“I have been with three different host families because it is the rules of my exchange program.  I have had a lot of great times with all of them.  They were different from each other and I always joke with them and I will miss them so much,” D’Eramo said.  “I remember when I left my first family my host dad left me a letter and I found the letter and it was a really kind and good letter.  They host me not as a stranger but as a part of their family.”

D’Eramo’s last words go out to his friends, family, and supporters who make him want to come back.
“I want to thank all the people that I met here because they made me a better person.  I will never forget them,” D’Eramo said.  “They will always be part of my life no matter how long ago it will be, I will remember them.