A 16-year-old student from France has arrived in Fredonia to spend the new school year experiencing American life, making new friends and becoming part of the local community through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Pia Derreumaux of Anglet, a town of approximately 43,000 in southwestern France, arrived at Buffalo Niagara International Airport on August 24th following a 15-hour journey that included four airplane flights. She was welcomed at the airport by members of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club.
Derreumaux will remain in the United States through May 2027 and will attend Fredonia High School as a senior. She hopes to play for the school's soccer team. An outgoing and energetic young woman, she describes herself as cheerful, curious and eager to try new things. Soccer is a major part of her life, and she recently played for Biarritz Football Club in France. She enjoys almost all sports, as well as music of all kinds.
She also enjoys cooking and baking, particularly making cookies and lasagna for her family.
Derreumaux brings considerable international experience to her exchange year. She has traveled extensively with her family and previously lived in Spain, where she learned both Spanish and Catalan. She has visited the United States twice before, including a six-week short-term exchange experience in Minnesota last year. That experience sparked her interest in returning to the United States for a much longer stay through Rotary Youth Exchange.
Derreumaux says, "I was very happy with my experience in Minnesota, and it made me want to discover more about American life and culture. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here, to discover a new culture, meet new people, and experience life in this wonderful community, including American football. From the very beginning, I have felt welcomed and supported, and I truly appreciate all the kindness and generosity that has been shown to me. Go Bills!"
Derreumaux is also interested in a future career in sports management, particularly as a sports talent agent.
Her personal background includes five years in scouting, where she learned about teamwork, service and community involvement. She has also regularly babysat for a family with four children. Those experiences, she says, have helped her become responsible, organized and independent.
Derreumaux is being hosted by the McMurtry-d'Amato family of Maple Avenue in Fredonia. The family includes a daughter, Claire, who is also a senior at Fredonia High School.
The Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club has participated in Youth Exchange for many years, both hosting international students and helping young people from the local community have exchange experiences abroad. Over the years, numerous local families have opened their homes to students from other countries.
Rotary Youth Exchange student Pia Derreumaux (center), was recently welcomed at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by members of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club. Pictured, from left to right: Club President David Dengler, Youth Exchange Chair Diane Hannum, Youth Exchange Committee members Jefferson Westwood, Lisa Powell-Fortna and Sheila Starkey-Hahn (not shown). Photo by the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club
