Life is about experiences.
It’s safe to say in the nine-plus months that Ema Venckute has been at Walton CSD as an exchange student from Lithuania, she took advantage of every experience she could.
Venckute left Walton this week to travel back to her home country and she said she leaves with fond memories, but with a heavy heart.
“I’m a pretty emotional person and it is bittersweet,” she said. “I miss my family and friends, but it will be hard. We experience a culture shock coming here, and it will be a reverse culture shock going back. I’ll need a few days to get back to it.”
Exchange students from Lithuania arrive and depart at the same time, she said. Some students, such as those who attended school in the south, may have started school late and had the chance to finish the year in the US.
Though it’s disappointing she won’t finish the year here or go to prom, Venckute said the experiences she had while here will last a lifetime.
“I gained so many new experiences and I’m very grateful for that,” she said.
Venckute, a junior who turned 18 in March, came to Walton through the FLEX program – Future Leaders Exchange Program – one that dates back to 1992.
Her initial placement in Walton wasn’t what she expected. Once arriving, she said she realized it would be a perfect fit.
“Going to a small town was a little disappointing,” she said. “When I heard New York, I thought New York City. I thought there wouldn’t be as many opportunities, but there were so many.
“I wondered what I would do in a small town,” she continued. “I was definitely wrong. I was very busy and everyone was so nice to me.”
Venckute thanked her host mother – Beth Ogden – for giving her so many opportunities and experiences.
One of her first big experiences prepared her for the year to come. She arrived on August 15, 2024 and experienced the Delaware County Fair – and the annual demolition derby.
“That was crazy,” she said. “I never thought so many people would be crashing cars. At first, it was overwhelming. It became a nice journey. I always said yes and tried not to be scared of trying out new things.”
Some of those things included paddle boarding, cross country skiing, and hunting. Within the walls of the school, she participated in track and field, speech and debate club, and the musical.
Venckute also volunteered for the first time and said she enjoyed it. She volunteered through church, and also helped Miss Bolton at the Christmas show when she chaperoned other kids.
“I liked volunteering,” she said. “I will continue it. It helped me grow closer to the community.”
This past April, she portrayed “Mrs. Banks” in the musical Mary Poppins. Venckute mastered the part and had a wonderful performance.
“I’m grateful my host mom and friends encouraged me to do it,” she said. “I tried something new and I got closer with my friends. Those two months passed by quickly, but I had fun and created closer bonds.”
Ray and Jenny Bartlett, who directed the musical, said she was an excellent part of the show.
“She was very dedicated, learned all of her lines and songs quickly, and did an incredible job bringing Mrs. Banks to life. But more than that, her attitude and joy in the process made the whole experience better for everyone. We’re so glad that she was part of our production.”
High School Principal Art Loomis said after the musical, he saw the emotional side of Venckute.
“She was fantastic and was a great fit into our group of students performing,” he said. “Students typically stand in the hallway outside of the auditorium after their performance. After the first night's performance, I was congratulating students, but when I got to Ema, she was full of emotion. She was crying - not out of sadness, but out of happiness. You could see how much that moment meant to her and I was happy Walton could provide an opportunity for her to thrive.”
Athletically, she took part in track and field. In Lithuania, she said her parents had done track, but she never had the interest. For Walton, she ran the 100 and was part of relay teams. She also took part in speech and debate, which included a trip to nationals in Chicago.
“I have done speech and debate at home,” she said. “In a way it’s something new here. In Lithuania, you can’t use body language, but you can here.”
Ellen Nary, who coached her in speech and debate, and also had Venckute as part of the drama club, said it was a joy to get to know her.
“From her talent and passion in drama club, her tenacity and poise in speech and debate, and her fighting spirit in the games we played during study hall, Ema has become a wonderful part of my career and I feel honored to have been a part of her story while she was here,” Nary said. “I will miss her greatly and know she has everything it takes to be successful throughout the rest of her life!”
Her experiences weren’t just within the walls of Walton CSD, though. Trips to New York City, North Carolina, Washington DC, and Philadelphia happened during her time here.
And yes, she even enjoyed riding the subway in New York.
“The people, the streets, the noises, and the chaos – in the movies it’s so different,” she said.
She noted, too, that her favorite snacks while here were Rice Krispie treats and root beer.
“It was such a pleasure hosting Ema at Walton this school year,” School Counselor Karen Gilbertson said. “We would take 100 ‘Emas’ as she took full advantage of her exchange experience, excelling in academics and extracurricular activities.”
Gilbertson noted the district is eager to welcome more students and anybody interested in hosting a student can contact Beth Ogden (local coordinator) at ogdenwaltonian@gmail.com.
As Venckute prepared to head back to her home country, she smiled as she reflected on her time in Walton.
“Sometimes I can’t believe the things that happened. It’s still surreal. It felt like I was in a movie.” she said. “It will be pretty hard to leave. I guess I’m scared my home in Lithuania won’t feel the same. The United States, and Walton especially, is my second home. I hope I get the chance to come back and visit. This school and community made me feel included. I didn’t feel left out by friends or faculty.”
“I miss my family and friends (in Lithuania), but it will be hard,” she said. “Thank you so much to everybody. I wish I could hug you all for including me and making me part of your community. I didn’t feel like a stranger. Thank you for making me feel seen and not an outsider. I feel lucky.”