Worthington High School sophomore is next student ambassador to Crailsheim, Germany

Mar. 3—WORTHINGTON — Melanie Cerda, a sophomore at Worthington High School, will serve as Worthington's next student ambassador to Crailsheim, Germany.

Her selection was announced during a Sunday noon banquet at Duffers, where guests were treated to a traditional German meal, as well as remarks from Sophie Göhler, Crailsheim's current ambassador to Worthington, and past Worthington exchange students Moriah Hennings and Dominic Burns, who leads the Worthington-Crailsheim International committee locally. Burns is also the new German teacher in District 518.

Cerda, who was the lone applicant for the year-long exchange program, said she is most looking forward to sampling new foods, learning more of the German language and being immersed in German culture. She will travel to Crailsheim this summer with Göhler.

Cerda was enrolled in German I last semester at WHS, and kept "by far the most complete" notebook of German words, shared Burns.

"I hope you make it the best year possible," Burns told Cerda.

Cerda was admittedly nervous as she stood before banquet attendees.

"I'm a really shy person and I need something to open me up more to meet new people," she later said of her decision to apply for the student ambassador program. "My friend Cassandra (Casian) just came back from Germany. She gave me the inspiration (to apply)."

Casian spent approximately six months in Crailsheim as Worthington's student ambassador before returning home to Worthington in early February.

Cerda is the youngest of four, with one brother, Christopher, and two sisters, Janely and Alexa, all of whom have children. All of her siblings, as well as her mom, Melina, several nieces and an aunt accompanied her to the banquet.

"I'd really like to go over there and ... when I come back I want to influence others to want to do this," shared Cerda. "I'm planning on joining some things — trying out some things."

Burns encouraged Cerda to do just that.

"What this program provides is the ability to find yourself with people across the world who just want to get to know you better," he said. "You have to go and apply yourself — to experience German cuisine and German culture, to make new friends.

"The people you stay with today are the people you stay with 10 years from now when you go back to visit," he added. "Remember those moments and make the most of your time in the city of Crailsheim."

Burns called the exchange program the best kept secret in Worthington, and said the experience, along with forging friendships with people across the sea, is like none other.

Göhler shared many of her experiences during her seven months in Worthington as she spoke, saying she is proud to represent Crailsheim in Worthington for the year.

"I came here to get to know a different way of life and so far I have not been disappointed," she said. In addition to classes, she is actively involved in the high school's robotics team, Business Professionals of America, band and was in the fall play.

Göhler spoke of the excitement over her first American Thanksgiving, going ice fishing with one of her host families, and experiencing a variety of cuisines, including Mexican food with her first host family, the Najeras.

"One of my best decisions I made was to squeeze my saxophone into my luggage and bring it with me to Worthington," Göhler said, sharing a bit about her band trip experience to San Diego, California and now learning to play jazz music in jazz band.

"I've never really played jazz music or really ever listened to it before," she said. "I've become more confident playing my saxophone.

"My time here has already had a great impact on my life and all those memories will stay with me forever," she added.

Moriah Hennings was Worthington's 2019-2020 student ambassador to Crailsheim. She said the experience she was given was the "chance of a lifetime and a gift I am forever grateful for."

Hennings encouraged anyone who has the opportunity to participate in such an immersion program should consider it.

The city of Crailsheim has extended an invitation to Worthington for up to 50 people to travel to Crailsheim in September for Volksfest. Anyone interested in more information about the trip is encouraged to contact Worthington City Hall.