46 JULY 2018 By Rachael Bouley They say home is where the heart is, and this certainly holds true for 16-year-old Helene Lyngbye, who will miss her Arcadia family and friends when she returns to her native Denmark. Lyngbye just wrapped up her school year at Phoenix Country Day School, where she was on an exchange program through AFS Intercultural Programs. This non-profit promotes intercultural education across the globe through study abroad and exchange programs. Every year, the AFS Greater Phoenix chapter welcomes about 22 students from around the world, setting them up with host families and incredible experiences. Lyngbye and her fellow exchange students arrived for the start of this past school year, and they have spent the past nine months expanding their horizons and getting accustomed to the American ways of life. Despite her initial impressions that the two countries were very similar, Lyngbye soon realized many surprising differences, from the way parents raise their children to the size of supermarkets. “Parents worry a lot more here and play a much bigger role in their child’s life,” said Lyngbye. “Denmark is more about letting their child become very independent from a young age.” Lyngbye embraced the tight-knit family environment provided by her host parents, Jamie and Stephen Boscardin, and her host sister Olivia. They were there to support her along the way, introducing her to their traditions and showing her around the state. Back in Denmark, Lyngbye has an older brother, but it was a nice change to have a close confidante in Olivia. “It was really nice having a sister and someone you can talk to. They are all wonderful people and super fun,” said Lyngbye. Living in another country is an experience Lyngbye would recommend to everyone, even students who worry about missing out in their home country. “I feel like you learn more on a foreign exchange program than you do going to your own school for another year. You enter a country and you don’t know anyone, you don’t have your best friends or your parents that raised you,” she said. “But you get to appreciate your personality and find out who you are.” For Lyngbye, that meant stepping out of her comfort zone and being more outgoing. “I love how open Americans are. It taught me to be myself,” she said. “In Denmark I was much more quiet, and when I came here I had to learn how to make small talk.” Monthly catch-ups and group excursions helped her connect with other exchange students. Every year, AFS volunteers take the students on a trip to the Grand Canyon, which Lyngbye described as the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. Now, as she looks ahead with hopes of pursuing a career in medicine and working for Doctors Without Borders, Lyngbye says she will always cherish her time in Arizona. “I’ve learned so much you could say in some ways it has been the hardest year of my life but also the best year of my life,” said Lyngbye. Her host mom Jamie knows how amazing it can be to learn about new cultures and customs. The Boscardins have hosted several students over the years. “These students become your family for life and the experience is one that lasts far beyond the year of hosting,” Boscardin said. “This is a big commitment and it does indeed take some adjustment, but if truly committed to the experience, it can be life- changing.” Unique experiences and memories like these make it totally worthwhile, says Karen Powers, a dedicated volunteer with AFS and a former host parent. “It’s an incredible learning experience for both the students and their host families,” said Powers. “Exchange students are curious and will ask you why you do things a certain way, and you won’t even have thought about it until then! It’s simple things like who does certain chores around the house, or meal times.” AFS hopes to continue offering these eye-opening experiences for years to come, but the organization needs host families for the upcoming academic year, especially for placements at Arcadia and Phoenix Country Day. A bed, three meals a day and a loving home environment are all it takes. For more: Karen Powers at 480-970-0987 or Kpowers355@gmail.com. Exchange student finds home away from home in Arcadia Students participating in AFS Intercultural Programs in Arizona get to visit the Grand Canyon each year as a special trip to see some of the most amazing terrain offered in the United States. Bliss Out with Blanco

47 JULY 2018 By Rachael Bouley This year, Xavier College Preparatory is celebrating its 75th Diamond Anniversary. “And we’ve been celebrating all year,” said Erin Naughton Alaimo, director of marketing and public relations at the school. Xavier has been incorporating the Diamond theme into their slew of annual activities, including their auction, fashion show, Frosh Follies, Girls Have IT Day!, pageant and traditions day. Xavier is a private girls Catholic school for grades 9-12, although students don’t have to be Catholic to attend. As the name states, it prepares students for success in college and beyond through a rigorous, broad-based academic program. While strong academics are a cornerstone of its mission, the school recognizes that success entails more than just academic knowledge. To this end, it emphasizes participation in community service, faith, athletics and extracurricular activities, all of which foster successful, well- rounded young women. Brophy, a Jesuit high school for boys, was established in 1928 in Phoenix. Brophy and Xavier are part of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Parish. In 1943, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary opened Xavier on a single floor in Loyola Hall, which is on Brophy’s campus. Its first class graduated 11 students in 1947. Xavier’s first building, Fitzgerald Hall, was completed in 1953 and was home to 28 classrooms. Six blacktop tennis courts were also added that year, and the school had grown to 11 teachers and 174 girls. “I think Xavier has grown as Phoenix has grown,” said Xavier President Sister Joan Fitzgerald, BVM. “When I came here in 1962, there was one high-rise on Central and Osborn.” “And there were no freeways,” added Xavier Principal Sister Joan Nuckols, BVM. “There was only a two-way street from here to Scottsdale Road.” Today, more than 1,000 girls are enrolled at Xavier, which attracts students from the entire Phoenix area. In fact, the school once had a student who traveled every day from Wickenburg. Xavier has been selected three times by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, received the Siemens Award for the Best AP Program in the State and been chosen three times as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools. Xavier offers 27 AP Classes along with 70 clubs and athletics. Xavier athletic teams have won 134 state championships. Recently, one of its graduates was selected to be a Fulbright Scholar, and six students had their individual art win at the U.S. Congressional Art Competition. “Service is such a big part of Xavier,” said Alaimo who’s also a 1984 alumna and passionate about her alma mater. “Each year, our student body collectively spends 32,000-plus hours volunteering and serving the community in some way.” Its optional Dual Enrollment Program allows students to earn their Associates of Arts degree through a partnership with Rio Salado College. Students must take 60 hours at Xavier and one class online through Rio Salado. Girls who earn their Associates will enter college as juniors rather than as freshmen. This program is a huge time and cost saver. According to Sister Joan Fitzgerald, 90 students will earn their Associates of Arts degree this year. The mission at Xavier has always been to prepare young women of faith with the knowledge, skills, and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner. Although much has changed over the past 75 years, that goal is unchanged, and looks to remain so for the next 75 years as well. Xavier College Prep: 75 years of excellence in education (left) Xavier’s first building, Fitzgerald Hall, was completed in 1953 and was home to 28 classrooms. Six blacktop tennis courts were also added that year and the school had grown to 11 teachers and 174 girls. Today, Xavier College Preparatory boasts more than 1,000 female students from all over the Phoenix area. Local Dentist Helps Uninsured Adults Paid advertisement Dr. Sophon Heng D.D.S. caters to those people who don’t have dental insurance. Dr. Heng provides comprehensive dental care exclusively to uninsured adults in a modern, yet modest office in Phoenix. Dr. Heng grew up in Seattle and graduated in 2001 from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, and he relocated to Phoenix after graduation. “After watching the dental profession change,” said Dr. Heng, “I felt it had to be done a different way: ‘A Non-insured Way.’ We use the latest technology and treatment, yet we keep our facility modest and control our business overhead, which allows us to offer lower fees to serve the people in the community.” For example, Dr Heng’s office charges $499 for a lifelike crown made with latest materials and technology. His crowns are guaranteed for life against breakage or defects. There is never a charge for a so-called crown build up. Other dental offices could customarily run from $800 to $1200 or more for a similar crown in this area. Also, other general procedures in Dr. Heng’s office run 30-60% less than those typically charged. For example, $499 for a root canal, $499 for immediate denture (each), cleaning starts at $30. Patients often remark they find Dr. Heng’s office a breath of fresh air in an age where profit and greed driven corporations and “banksters” are invading every aspect of our lives, including our health care. “We have had a great response from all of our patients and we have met so many wonderful and appreciative people.” said office manager Channa. “We treat all of our patients like we would our own family.” “We explain to our patients that we don’t cut corners on care, treatment or materials,” said Karen, dental assistant. “We pride ourselves in treating people not just their teeth. We love dentistry and feel great about providing excellent care. We are driven by our desire to help others.” Many of Dr. Heng’s patients are young adults and seniors who have no dental insurance or have only a limited policy that gives them a few benefits and then charges more for their other needs. There is never a charge for an exam and x-ray, consultation and second opinions. Dr Heng offers no gimmicks, just modern quality dentistry at an affordable cost. Sophon Heng D.D.S. 602-703-1195 2600 N. 44th St., Ste. 106 | Phoenix, AZ 85008