This year's group of high school exchange students from Laurinburg's sister city Oban, Scotland, have enjoyed many of the activities of their predecessors, including high school football games, the state fair, rafting down the Lumber River and visiting the mountains and the beach. Nearing the end of their two week visit, on Tuesday the group attended the Laurinburg Rotary Club's weekly luncheon, where the 11 students and three chaperones shared their experiences before a crowd of some 60 Rotarians.

Chaperone Anne Stewart was in the midst of her fourth trip to Scotland County as a part of the exchange program, now in its 17th year.

"Since my first visit here in 1994, I've noticed a few changes," she said. "The cars are smaller, the fuel prices are higher, but each trip has had its own different dimensions. It is such a good program that keeps getting better and better."

For Chaperone John MacPherson, a senior deputy head teacher at Oban High School, the visit both confirmed his images of American life as well as surprised him in ways he did not anticipate.

"I have had a fantastic time during my first trip to America," MacPherson said. "The impression we sometimes have of Americans is that of a people very free and almost anarchist in their attitudes, but I have found them to be incredibly structured and organized; they wait in line, they are very clever despite the financial stress they are sometimes under, and there is an incredible lack of litter here. I have enjoyed the space and the size of everything, and had a particularly good time at Ocean Isle Beach. I could easily spend time just sitting under the pier and relaxing."

Bagpiper Laura Underwood, who led the Scotland High School band onto the field during last Friday's football game against Pinecrest High School, agreed that the trip to the beach was a highlight.

"I've loved the mountains, the beaches and the people," Underwood said. "I hope to return, maybe in a couple of years. It's all been good here."

Oban High School Physical Education teacher and chaperone Murray Hamilton was in familiar territory upon his arrival in Laurinburg. An exchange student in 1998, he returned the following year to attend Scotland High School, becoming a member of the graduating class of 2000. The qualities he developed as a result of his experience, he said, are those that are marked by many of the students who have participated in the exchange.

"Over the years this program has gone from strength to strength," Hamilton said. "Many of the participants in the program come back with more confidence in themselves as a result of their learning experience, and I do not know of a single student who has returned from Laurinburg and reported a bad experience. This opportunity helps young people grow into positive role models, mature persons who have broadened their horizons."

Turning to the students who were assembled behind him at the podium, Hamilton said, "I hope you appreciate how lucky you are to have been chosen to participate in this exchange."

MacPherson agreed with Hamilton's observations, citing the growing interest among Oban High School students wishing to take part in the program.

"The exchange is gaining a kind of folklore status in Oban," MacPherson said from the podium. "This year we had 50 applicants wishing to take part in the program. It is wonderful to see the personal development of students who have participated in the experience, and it is great to see the friendships between the students in Scotland and North Carolina develop and endure. I would like to thank Beacham McDougald for the incredible program he has put together, and to the host parents, who have been wonderful: God love 'em all."

Entertainment provided by the students included piping by Underwood, fiddling by Angus Scott, and readings in Gaelic and English by Caitlin Smith, Rowan Paterson, Lindsey Burgar, and Catriona MacKie.

The group will enjoy a final night cookout at the home of Bill and Sherry McIlwain before returning to Scotland on Thursday.