Carmichael speaks of Italian exchange trip to members of Houlton Rotary Club

    HOULTON — Ally Carmichael was Houlton Rotary’s guest speaker on Jan. 23, where she featured a PowerPoint presentation on her cultural exchange to Sicily, Italy. Carmichael was chosen to represent the Houlton Rotary club and her community as a short-term exchange student, spending three weeks overseas in a country and culture of her choice and bringing back an exchange student for three weeks to experience life in the US and northern Maine. She chose Italy for its deep cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, landscapes, and food. 
    Carmichael visited Giarre, Italy, a small town just outside Catania, Sicily. Her exchange student was Alessandra Di Mauro, a young lady eager to learn about our country and customs. While in Sicily, she visited a number of old churches and quant villages. Many buildings were constructed in the years 800 – 1500. One building was reportedly built in 300 BC.
Contributed photo/Michael Clark
COMPLETES EXCHANGE TRIP — Ally Carmichael, middle, recently spoke of her trip to Italy as part of the Houlton Rotary’s student exchange program. With Carmichael are, Scott Dionne, Rotary president, left, and Dana Delano, youth exchange officer.
    As her father is a stone mason, Carmichael was particularly interested in the architecture of the old stone buildings and churches. Being located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, seafood was prominent in all households, yet traditional Italian food was also very prevalent.
    Sicily also lays claim to be the originator of the pizza pie.
    “Whether this is true or not, it was the most wonderful pizza I have ever eaten”, she said.
    An active volcano on the island of Sicily erupted, causing the airport to close for nine days, just a few hours after she left with Alessandra for home.
    In America, Alessandra experience true Houlton hospitality, food and fun. A trip to Boston provided a rich history of our country’s early beginnings and her first baseball game … and the Red Sox won. She still follows the Red Sox’s from her home in Italy.
    “Ally Carmichael was a model student and a true delight to work with on this program”, states Dana Delano, youth exchange office.  “She experienced the language, the food, and soaked up the rich history of the region. I know this experience has broadened her views of the world and the rich culture and history of Sicily, Italy. She has made a friend for life.”
    Carmichael is a junior at Houlton High School and is the daughter of Kevin and Marie Carmichael.