Those who step foot in Spray, Oregon, discover the epitome of a small town. With a population of 145, the Wheeler County community may be nothing more to those passing through than a stop on the John Day Highway. But to the international students at Spray High School, it’s their entire experience of America.
Nine students from around the world are attending high school in Spray this year. Housed in two separate dorms, the students live and breathe American culture for an academic year, improving their language skills in the process.
The program helps keep Spray High School on the map and provides international and local students with culture and knowledge.
The History of the Program
The international program helps financially support the school, says Spray School Superintendent Lou Lyons.
More than 30 years ago, Spray High School began accepting international students in hopes of keeping its doors open. With a dwindling number of students, the school was at risk of being combined with nearby Fossil Charter School and Mitchell High School.
Having a school in each town is incredibly important to the parents and students, says Spray High School social studies teacher Marc Antonio. While the international students bring financial security to the school through district funding, their presence is valued far beyond the monetary contribution.
“We just enjoy the kids so much,” Marc says. “They really do infuse a light and a curiosity about things.”
Each year, Spray locals look forward to meeting the new boarders, according to dorm parent Sadie Garrett.
“When you come into a small community, it’s not just the kids at the school, it’s the staff,” Sadie says. “The whole town comes together.”
A small collection of rural schools throughout Oregon participates in similar programs to support their schools. Burnt River, Mitchell, Paisley and Huntington school districts all accept international students to fill their classes. The programs are served by different agencies, such as International Experience and International Student Exchange, both used by Spray School District.
Marc says the program has seen monumental success since its inception, benefiting the community, the school district and the students.
“With kids around here, a lot of them don’t travel,” Marc says. “Their world is small. And to have [international] kids come here, it’s huge. We learn about them as much as they learn about us.”
Why Spray?
In a town with only one major road, it’s hard to imagine students getting the complete American high school experience. However, the community in Spray begs to differ.
“Because it’s smaller classes, I think for them, they don’t feel swallowed,” Marc says. “They don’t disappear. And because of that, they get to know us teachers really well. They get to know the kids really well. I think their ability to absorb American culture increases so much because it isn’t this overwhelming 10 million people in their school.”
“The teachers are so kind, especially Mr. Marc and Mr. Starr,” says Phong Thai, a junior from Vietnam. “They will stop class or slow down to help explain things.”
Additionally, the relatively safe environment provides parents with peace of mind. The students live in dorms near the school with community members Crystal Rey and Sadie, who oversee the girls’ and boys’ dorms, respectively.
“Most of them by now call me Mom,” Crystal says. “It’s a good feeling to know that they’re really comfortable with me and that it feels like a home to them.”
The small town allows boarding students to blossom throughout the year and create meaningful connections with locals. The students say their experience has been nothing short of wonderful.
Lucia del Carmen Garrido Anton, a student from Spain, says living in Spray has been a great experience that has broadened her horizons. Other students agree their friendships have been life-changing and given them a lot to be grateful for.
“A lot of them have said that they really like the close-knit of the community,” Crystal says. “Everybody’s super nice and super helpful. They don’t feel out of place when they come here.”
The students spend most of their time in Spray, they also have opportunities to explore Oregon through various trips, including regular visits to Bend, the nearest city for shopping. At the start of the 2023 school year, Sadie organized a trip to Rockaway Beach for the boys, giving them a few days to soak in the beauty of the Oregon Coast.
A Year in Spray
Over the course of their year in Spray, the boarding students are intent on absorbing the language and culture in America so they can further their academic and career goals back home.
“When they leave here, their English language flows, and comprehension is so much greater,” Marc says. “They really are setting themselves up for what they want to do.”
The students also become more sure of themselves as the year progresses.
“It’s great seeing them kind of blossom,” Crystal says. “When they get here, most of them are super shy, super quiet, super unsure. And by the time they leave, it’s like they’re an American kid.”
However, according to Sadie and Crystal, one of the most notable changes is the friendships and connections that flourish during the school year. Both dorms form their own small families, treating each other like brothers and sisters while they live together.
Outside of their immediate cohort, international and local students from Spray, Mitchell and Fossil also participate in athletic programs together, forming bonds spanning across Wheeler County.
“It’s better to do the sports because you meet new friends,” Phong says. “It also helps build your personality for the future.”
For the students, these relationships are pivotal because they don’t return home at any point during the academic year, celebrating holidays and birthdays in America. According to Sadie, the shared experience creates a sense of belonging and support within the cohort.
While Spray may seem underwhelming at first, the students come away with a new appreciation for the town and an experience like no other.
“It’s really interesting to see how they relate to the community as it goes on,” Marc says. “First couple of days, they’re like, ‘This is it?’ And after a while, they realize that even small places have a lot going on if you just allow it.”
The Wheeler County Falcons
Comprised of students from Fossil Charter School, Mitchell High School and Spray High School, the Wheeler County Falcons are a diverse bunch. With each school hosting its own international boarding program, the athletics department is constantly filled with new faces.
According to dorm parent Sadie Garrett, many boarding students have never participated in American sports but are always willing to try them.
“It’s a culture shock for all of them,” fellow dorm parent Crystal Rey says. “But the kids here are really great about incorporating them into the school and into the activities. And sports are a really big thing that helps the kids build relationships with the American kids.”
According to Crystal and Sadie, the emphasis on athletics as a means of integrating students into American life has proven to be a significant and positive influence on many of their lives, while fostering a sense of accomplishment and belonging in the Wheeler County communities.
As the volleyball coach for Wheeler County, Crystal sees the friendships develop before her eyes. As the girls convene, they often encounter other international students from their hometowns, sparking conversations in their native languages and forming connections that remind them of home.
Participating in athletics is a social and personal highlight for many students as they engage in physical activity and form lasting friendships.
“We’re just excited that they’re even trying something new,” Sadie says. “Every once in a while, we’ll get one of those kids that didn’t know they could play that becomes the star athlete.”
When this year’s male students arrived in Spray, Sadie says half had never played basketball.
“Just last game, one of them made a 3-pointer, and this other kid is now making shots left and right,” Sadie says. “It’s just amazing.”