For its role in hosting an international exchange student, the Junior/Senior High School has received special recognition from the U.S. Department of State.
 
The medallion recognizes the school’s participation in the department’s YES Program, through which OH junior Anan Dabbah, a Palestinian from Israel, was selected. Anan spent the school year as one of two international students enrolled in the district through the AFS-USA program.
 
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (also known as the YES Program) builds bridges between Americans and people in countries of strategic importance to the State Department.

“This medallion should be seen as a symbol of both recognition and pride as it marks a decision that your school made to expose your students to diverse cultures, attitudes, beliefs, and languages helping them be life-ready no matter where their next steps take them, said Jill Woerner, director of educational outreach for AFS Intercultural Programs-USA.