The Rotary Club of Fort Stockton played host to Henry Downing and Sawyer Downing last Thursday.

Henry Downing, a Fort Davis High School Senior, presented on his involvement in the Future Farmers of America. His skill set and service to his community has distinguished him among his peers as a leader to reckon with. His leadership skills and indisputable speaking abilities helped him get elected to represent the west Texas region as a State Officer. He will be part of a group of 12 State Representatives to lead the 169,000 active members in FFA in Texas.

Sawyer Downing will miss his Junior year at Fort Davis High School as he will embark a trip of a life time to participate in Rotary’s International Exchange Youth Program.

Sawyer will be traveling to Chile where he is expected to represent the United States, Rotary and his community in west Texas. He will attend school, live with three families throughout his stay.

He is already practicing Spanish and has learned through online group chats what it is to be a teen in Chile! He says futbol, or soccer, is the main sport that is played in Chile and is ready to learn when he gets there.

He is looking forward to a year of adventures and learning.

The last time the Fort Stockton Rotary Club sent out an exchange student to another country was in 2008.