Schools
Whiz Kid: Suewongsuwan Shares Thai Culture with Trenton
Exchange student from Thailand is thriving at Trenton High and enjoying Trenton Rotary Club hospitality.
Whiz Kid: Chanon Suewongsuwan
Nickname: "Non"
Age: 17
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Accomplishment: Suewongsuwan is an exceptional student from Thailand that was chosen to participate in the Rotary International Exchange Student Program. Suewongsuwan is attending Trenton High School and is currently hosted and housed by Trenton Rotary Club member and former Trenton Rotary Club President D. Brad O'Connor and his wife Luanne O'Connor.
Suewongsuwan is enjoying academic success at Trenton High with a 3.4 cumulative grade point average thus far, which is not always easy for an exchange student to do.
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"Non is a very disciplined young man," said Mr. O'Connor. "It's remarkable for a 17 year old to come to a very different culture in the United States and do so well. He has very good comprehension as well as a great sense of humor."
Suewongsuwan also participates in school athletics as a member of the wrestling and track and field teams. He notes that life is very different here in the States than it is in Thailand, but that he has been enjoying the diversity.
"The best thing about being here is definately the people, the weather and the food," said Suewongsuwan. "I like cooking Thai food for my host family; it's much spicier. And I saw snow for the first time this winter and went sledding. I also like shopping at the mall with my host mom, Mrs. O'Connor."
Suewongsuwan arrived in Michigan last August and is planning to attend the Rotary Super District Conference at the end of May in Chicago. After school is out in June, he'll embark on a 15-day west coast tour that will make stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the Grand Canyon among other hot spots before heading back home.
"I miss my family, friends and school," said Suewongsuwan. "But I do keep in touch with them by Skype and phone. Plus, my family at home has an exchange student from Mexico staying with them, so they have a new son too."
Key to Success: "Non is very personable and terrific young man," said Mr. O'Connor.
