Three cheers and a brickbat for Hayesville High School.

FRANK BRADLEY/Sentinel photo Hayesville high school teacher and coordinator Linda Barrett (L) with Danish teachers Jens Holck and Sanne Thrnne following a tour of Young Harris College.

This week the Danes are in town. A week-long visit of some 20 Danish students, two teachers and a principal from Avudore Gymnasium, which is a high school equivalent, near Copenhagen, Denmark. You might remember that a group of Hayesville High School students visited that school back in October of last year.

The student exchange program is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience other countries, other cultures, which broadens their understanding of the way the world works, gives them some new ideas about different educational systems, and in a small way fosters good will among our people and those of other nations.

Both the Hayesville students and the Danish students stayed or are staying with host families where they visit. Hayesville High School students and teachers have also visited China on two separate occasions, again with positive outcomes.

It is remarkable that this small rural school has become involved in student exchanges to the extent that it has. It says a lot about the Clay County school system including its students, teachers and administrators. They are all to be commended for this initiative, and we hope further exchanges will take place with other students to and from other countries.

What we find disappointing however, is the itinerary that was planned for the Danish students. Most of the events appear to be taking place outside of Clay County and North Carolina.

Scheduled on the itinerary that we saw were trips to Brasstown Bald, Fun World, Young Harris College; to the Cherokee Indian reservation; to the Biltmore House, Asheville Mall, all of which are very good points of interest; however, what is missing are two key local points of interest: Tri- County Community College and the John C. Campbell Folk School. We are very much puzzled why these institutions were overlooked.

The North Carolina Community College System has long been recognized as among the top community college systems in the nation. For the past several years, Tri- County Community College has been among the top tier of these North Carolina community colleges recognized at having achieved exemplary status year after year.

The Early College program established at TCCC two years ago is allowing students to complete high school while completing a number of colleges courses, in some cases enough to earn an Associate degree in the same amount of time they earn their high school diploma. Also, it should be noted that more Hayesville High School graduates attend TCCC by far than any other college.

The John C. Campbell Folk School was established in Brasstown in 1925 based on the Danish Folk School model. It had an enormous influence in building community and creating economic development within this region in the 20's, 30's, 40's. And since that time, it has been the primary institution in these parts for preserving our mountain heritage. The Folk School has a national reputation drawing serious crafters from all parts of the United States as well as internationally.

To omit the Folk School from the Dane's itinerary is the equivalent of hosting a group of Texas Baptist in Clay County and not taking them to see George Truett birth place.

We believe the high school

could have scheduled things

better. worldwide.

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