A Gateway to French Culture

Hi, I’m Jasaun and I have recently been given the chance to travel to Europe, more specifically; France, Morocco, and Barcelona through my high school’s foreign language department! I am in need of $3980.00 to take this journey to Europe and enhance my knowledge of the French language and culture. It is a 10 day Trip from June 12, 2018 through June 21, 2018 filled with tours including the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Seville Cathedral and other sight-seeing locations. The $3980.00 will cover round-trip flights, Comfortable Motorcoach, 9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms, and European breakfast and dinner daily.

I am in the top 15% at McEachern High School in PowderSprings, Georgia, and I am involved in various clubs and activities. I am a member of the Beta Club, the Tri-M Music Honors Society, Peer Mediation, the Chick-Fil-A Leader Program, Student Council, and the French Honors Society. I am quite the busy body and I like to give back to my community in any way possible!

“Pick It Up Powder Springs” is one of my frequent events where people young and old volunteer their time to walk the streets of Powder Springs picking up trash and making our home a cleaner place. “Shop With An Indian” is another event in which students form groups of 3 to raise $100 and spend a day with a less fortunate child at Walmart shopping for themselves or their family to give them a Merry Christmas. The entire day is filled with activities that builds the bonds of everyone involved and leaves you with a joyous feeling after seeing the happiness in a child’s eyes.

Two things I am truly passionate about are music and the French Language. I first picked up an instrument when I started 6th grade. Naturally I felt the Saxophone call my name and from the minute I played my first few notes I knew music was my calling. Once I reached high school I began to ask myself, “why only tie myself down with just one instrument when I can learn them all?” and I then began looking for new instruments to play. I learned how to play the Piano, then the Bassoon, and then on to the Violin; and most recently, the Harmonica. I self-taught myself all of these instruments minus a few beginner Piano lessons. I’ve done multiple local ensemble performances with members of my band and I’ve also been a part of the marching band and winter guard programs my school offers.

I began my Junior year of high school with zero foreign language credits and I needed at least two to graduate. Instead of going the normal route and taking one each of my last two years I decided to take the path less travelled and took French year round. After my Junior year of high school I learned that I was naturally good at it and I loved the language so much I decided to take the placement test and I managed to skip the level three course and move on to Honors French 4 and AP French in which I would alternate classes each day with the main goal of taking the AP exam in hopes of gaining college credit for my hard work. I like to look back on this as one of my greatest achievements doing something that many first told me was nearly impossible.

After I graduate high school I plan on attending either Georgia State University or Kennesaw State University and Majoring in Music Education while Minoring in French and hopefully moving on to Majoring the language. The goal is to hopefully raise enough money to be able to travel to France and immerse myself in not only the language but the culture as well so I can better understand it. If you could help by donating any amount possible and spread the word that would be greatly appreciated!