Kerstin is an exchange student from Germany. Kerstin came to America for a year to learn more about the American culture and to improve her English language skills. Kerstin has loved sports since she was a little child. When she was seven, she began playing badminton in a sports club in Germany. She also played keyboard for several years. Kerstin discovered very quickly that this was too much for her and she quit the music to play more sports. Five years ago, her PE teacher asked her if she wanted to play basketball. Since that time, Kerstin has been a member of BVZ’95, her basketball club in Germany. She also played with her all-star team from her state (Germany has states, too) in the German Championships where her team took second place, to Kerstin’s surprise. Over the years, basketball became Kerstin’s favorite sport. Before she came to Fortuna, she practiced almost every day to improve her skills.
After school began this fall, Kerstin decided to try out for the volleyball team. She made the team and had a great time with all her teammates. Before Kerstin came to Fortuna High School, she was not a great volleyball fan since she had never played it before in her life. Those three months of the volleyball season gave her an entirely new perspective and taught her how much fun volleyball can be. Kerstin attributes this to her awesome coach, Cindy Smith. Coach Smith did a great job of making a real team of the them. That is what Kerstin also wants for the basketball team. Kerstin believes that if we have a good relationship among all the players, the season can be very successful. “Only with teamwork can we win a game!” She is looking forward to all of the games. Only then will we find out if we are prepared to face the other teams. In other words, Kerstin’s ready for a basketball game! Another key for success for her is defense. She’s looking forward to see how well everything comes together. She is optimistic!
After Kerstin graduates from Fortuna High, she has two more years of school back in Dresden, Germany. After that, though, she wants to study Sports Science, perhaps back in the United States.
Kerstin wants to thank her parents Marion and Detlef, who opened the door for her to come to Fortuna. She also wishes to thank her Host Parents, Ruthann and Doug, who have made it a very special time for her. And finally, Kerstin appreciates the work of Coach Cindy Smith, who is just a wonderful person.