Skip to main content

Extraordinary experience

Subhead
Luverne High School student gears up for her senior year at dad's alma mater in England
Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

As area students prepare to return to school later this month, Luverne’s Zoe Brown is preparing to return to classes in a different country.
The Luverne High School student will spend the first semester of her senior year studying in England. She will attend the same high school her father, Miles, attended and graduated from in 1987.
“Trying new things has always sparked an interest for me as I have always been very curious,” she said.
For about four months Brown will live in Warboys, England, attending high school at Ramsey Abbey. She will return to Luverne just after Christmas.
England will be a familiar place to the second of Miles and Mary Brown’s five children.
She was born in Huntington, England, during a family visit, and returned later with her family to live in England for almost seven years. The Browns moved back to the U.S. when she was 8 years old.
Her dual citizenship aided the decision to attend school in Warboys instead of just visiting for a summer.
“I changed my mind when I thought of studying abroad, as I would meet more people and get to experience more things I have not experienced before,” Brown said.
Warboys is located an hour and a half northeast of London. While there, Brown will stay with grandparents and friends.
Locally, school officials are treating Brown’s attendance to Ramsey Abbey as a transfer. She will return to Luverne for the second semester and graduate with her classmates in 2016.
“She has done well academically to get her graduation credits,” said LHS Principal Ryan Johnson.
Brown said she intends for the exchange to enhance her interest in an international business marketing career.
She already had a lesson in managing time difference.
There is a six-hour time difference between Luverne and Warboys, and trying to enroll with school officials proved to a challenge for the busy 17-year-old.
“But we got it done,” she said.
The experience has a dual purpose. It will assist in her desire to study abroad during college as well as fulfill a personal enjoyment.
“This will help me pursue my love of travel and spark my creativity,” she said.
Brown works at Glen’s Food Center and at the city of Luverne. She is also active in tae kwon do, dance, motor cross and school activities such as drama, choir and Family, Career, Community Leaders of America.
“I have held multiple jobs to create this dream into a reality,” she said. “For those people who want to live an extraordinary life, it’s possible if you’re willing to make it happen.”

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.