For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Kearsarge Alumnus Connects School to Mongolian Student Pen Pals

NEW LONDON – A Kearsarge alumnus who fondly remembers connecting with international student pen pals in his youth has organized a new exchange of letters between his Mongolian students and fifth graders at Kearsarge Regional Elementary School.

Cameron Clark, a Northeastern University student who studies linguistics, is currently in Mongolia for a six month co-op program where he is teaching English to students ages seven to 35. As he prepared for the program, he remembered sending letters as an elementary school student in MaryAnne Morcom’s class at Kearsarge Regional Elementary School to students in another country.

Clark reached out to Morcom, and asked if she’d like to set up a new pen pal exchange between his students and hers. 

“The students love the letters and are amazed at the English Cameron’s students have learned to be able to write to us,” Morcom said. “I had the pleasure of teaching Cam in fourth and fifth grade and it was very nice that he asked me and the class to participate in his project.”

The first batch of letters was sent from Mongolia to Kearsarge Regional Elementary School this March. 

“I hope to give the Mongolian students a chance to practice their English with a native speaker, and I hope that the students in New Hampshire will get a chance to learn about a culture far outside their own,” Clark said.

Kearsarge students will send reply letters to their pen pals early this May.

“It is so special that a Kearsarge alumnus, inspired by a fond memory from his time as a student here, has reached out to create this new pen pal opportunity for current fifth graders,” Superintendent Feneberg said. “This is an exciting, engaging way for our students to be exposed to a new culture, all thanks to the thoughtfulness and initiative of a former student.”

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