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Exchange students at CHS excel in classroom, basketball, too "In the Netherlands, we don't play sports in school, but in clubs," she said. "We play the same sport the whole year around. Because we don't play sports in school, we don't have any school spirit. This is something I'll miss when I go back home!", - LINDA KREUK Click on headline for complete story, photo(s) By Calen McKinney News from Campbellsville Independent Schools (CIS) They came here to study, but have also become leaders on the basketball court. Elena De Pedro Moreno and Linda Kreuk came to Campbellsville High School in August for their junior year of high school studies. And while they are excelling in the classroom, De Pedro, who is from Madrid, Spain, and Kreuk, who is from Julianadorp in the Netherlands, have also scored key spots on the CHS girls' basketball team. Chris Huff, their head coach, says it's been a joy coaching the two. "[They are] very intelligent passionate individuals who want to strive to be better in all they do," he said. "I look forward to coaching them the rest of this season, but will miss them when it is over." At CHS, De Pedro is currently playing basketball, but will soon put down the basketball and pick up a softball bat. Kreuk has played basketball and volleyball, and also plans to play tennis, which starts soon. Huff says De Pedro and Kreuk have worked hard this season, and are true competitors. "Elena has the skill set to play the game of basketball and she is finally learning how to play American basketball," Huff said. "She could be a college player if she was able to stay here and be eligible for another year." When coming to CHS, Huff said, Kreuk had never played basketball before. "With that being said, she has worked so hard and retains information so well that even though she may not be as skilled as others, she competes," he said. "They both are also wonderful people and will be successful in whatever they do in life." De Pedro said she has always wanted to come to the United States and believes the EF exchange program was a great opportunity for her. "I also think it's a really good personal experience and knowing two languages is really important for getting jobs in Spain." Kreuk said her twin sister, Petra, had the idea of studying in the United States. Petra is studying at a school in Galva, IL. "At first, I didn't want to do it, but after we'd been to some meetings, it sounded really cool to me, too," Kreuk said. De Pedro, who is staying with Steve and Patti Phillips, also plays basketball in Spain. But playing at CHS has been a bit different. "Elena has had to adjust her game for the way it is played in the States, but, as she has learned the fundamentals, her skill level shows in many areas," Huff said. "Like I said, I wish I had her another year because she could be a very productive player as a senior." In Spain, De Pedro said, basketball is played in club leagues and not at school. There are no buses to take players to each game, and, at home, she plays one sports form September to June. "In Spain, I live in a really big city, so Campbellsville is completely different," she said. At home in the Netherlands, Kreuk plays handball. But at CHS, she has picked up a few new sports. "In the Netherlands, we don't play sports in school, but in clubs," she said. "We play the same sport the whole year around. Because we don't play sports in school, we don't have any school spirit. This is something I'll miss when I go back home!" Kreuk is living with Bill and Rebecca Cassell while studying at CHS. Huff said he and his players will miss De Pedro and Kreuk after they leave this school year. "[We] all have enjoyed the addition of these two wonderful young ladies, because they both bring many skills to the table," he said. "Not only basketball skills, but the intangibles that make for being great teammates. "With all that we have experienced this season, they have been welcomed additions to our program. I wish I had replicas of these two foreign exchange students every year." Having two exchange students on the team has helped Huff changed the culture of his basketball program. "My challenge of changing the culture of this program provided them the opportunity to be a part of change," he said. "They are great examples of what is required to be s De Pedro said her CHS basketball team has become like a family. "You make lifetime friends, you learn a lot about the sport and respect against others," she said. Kreuk said she, too, has enjoyed her time playing basketball at CHS. "I just love to have fun with the whole team!" she said. "One time, we had a sleepover with the basketball team, which was awesome!" While De Pedro and Kreuk have spent much of their time at CHS playing sports, they say they have also enjoyed their classes and meeting new friends. De Pedro has enjoyed creating relationships with her teachers, attending school activities and seeing the CHS school spirit. Her time at CHS has helped her become a strong player, in more ways than one. "It helped a lot in my sports career because I have to face hard situations and I don't have my family to support me, so I have learned to be more independent." After leaving CHS when the school year concludes, De Pedro will travel back to Spain to finish high school. She will attend college, and continue playing basketball. Kreuk said she loves that everyone at CHS knows each other. "I used to go to a school with 1,100 students, so I only knew people from my own grade," she said. "I also love the experience of attending an American high school. It's cool to see the differences and similarities between CHS and my old school." And those differences are plenty, she said. "One of the biggest differences is that teenagers in the Netherlands cycle everywhere they go. I had to cycle 12 miles every day to go to school and back home again," Kreuk said. "Also, our schedules are different. You can compare ours to college schedules. I had 12 different classes and every day was different." Kreuk said her exchange year has helped her gain confidence and independence. "It is awesome to get fluent in a new language and be confident speaking it," she said. "It is also amazing to get to know people from all over the world and having new friends! "By playing sports at CHS, I've become a better team player and I become more responsible. I learned to face some problems and to speak my mind." After leaving CHS, Kreuk will return to her old school to continue her high school studies. She will continue playing handball. "Even though I'll get back to my old routine, I will be a completely different person. I've learned so many new things and I've grown up so much!" she said. "I think that going to America was the best decision in my life!" For more information about the EF exchange program, call the CHS office at (270) 465-8774. This story was posted on 2016-02-16 06:50:43
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