Caetano enjoying year of firsts

HAUSER LAKE - Before Joana Caetano arrived in North Idaho, she had no concept of powder puff football or school spirit competitions.

Now she has experienced both.

Those activities are among what the Lakeland High senior, a foreign exchange student from Portugal, has enjoyed the most during her stay this school year.

"The powder puff game was unique," said Caetano, who is staying with Dave and Kathy Lankford of Hauser Lake. "I've been asking everybody to do it again, so maybe we'll plan one for the spring."

Portugal doesn't have football, which made the event, a cancer fundraiser, even more special.

"We have rugby instead," she said.

Caetano also enjoyed the Prairie Pig spirit week activities.

"That was totally new to me, and it was really fun," she said, adding that school in Portugal is more serious and difficult than it is here.

"People have to concentrate a lot in school there, so there's not too many distractions."

Caetano was in a lip synch contest during spirit week.

"I'm not a singer, but I love to dance," she said. "I danced when I was younger, but I quit."

Caetano also served as a manager for Lakeland's volleyball team. It was a great way to get to know students early in the school year, she said.

"I had a chance to go with the girls to all the games," she said. "The girls are really nice and we still get together and see each other at school."

The snow has also been something new for Caetano.

"We have a mountain where it snows, but it doesn't snow where I live (in the capital of Lisbon)," she said. "Sledding was really fun, and I'm hoping to go skiing or snowboarding with a friend."

Caetano said she also hopes to give ice fishing a try if it freezes again.

The Lankfords have enjoyed having Caetano as well.

"Kathy is Portuguese, so we thought it would be fun to have someone from Portugal," Dave said. "We wanted to learn more about the culture, language and foods. It has been a real treat having her here."

The Lankfords recently took Caetano on a road trip to San Francisco.

"San Francisco is really similar to Lisbon," said Caetano, adding that the Golden Gate Bridge architect also designed a large bridge in that city.

But the trip also presented a new experience for Caetano.

"In Portugal, you can do it in six hours and be done," she said. "The two-day trip was new for me."

Caetano plans to attend a fashion design college next year either in the United States or London.

Caetano said her cousin was a foreign exchange student who stayed in Maryland, so she decided to follow.

"It has been nice," she said.

SNAPSHOT

Favorite movie: "The Devil Wears Prada"

Book: "The Secret"

TV series: "Bones"

Hobbies: Drawing, reading, walking, going to the gym