N.Z. NAMES WANTED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 10

N.Z. NAMES WANTED

Pen Friends In U.S.

Thousands of boys and girls in the United States are seeking the names of boys and girls in New Zealand with whom they can exchange letters. In the United States, a growing number of schools use such correspondence as an aid to teaching various school subjects. This not only develops ability in writing and composing letters; but also building knowledge, friendship, and understanding among the free peoples of the world. Thousands of schools in the United States look to the student Letter Exchange, Waseca, Minnesota. to furnish them with names of boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years with whom they may correspond. It was one of the first organisations of its kind in the United States. Began in 1934 Mr Robert Mishek, founder of the organisation, was teaching in the high school at Waseca, Minnesota, when in 1934, he first thought of an exchange of letters as a means of broadening pupils’ education. Securing names overseas, at that, time, was a major problem. Many of the early names came from missionaries, later from schools, and then even governments co-operated. Teachers and pupils in the United States have begn surprised at the grasp of the English language students have in non-English speaking countries. Their penmanship also has been highly praised.

American students sometimes become confused in determining whether the first names of students received from other countries belong to a boy or a girl. When sending names to the United States, it is well to indicate not only the age but also the sex of the correspondent. Boy or Girl?

What do boys and girls write about in their letters? School sports, hobbies, family, town, and books top the list. Many write in detail about an average day in their lives—just what they do from the time they rise in the morning until the time they go to bed. Photographs of pupils and scenes from the community add interest to the exchange letters. Pupils interested should ask their teachers to make a list of names from their class or group and send it to : Students Letter Exchange, Waseca, Minnesota, U.S.A. Be sure that the age, sex, and complete address of each pupil is included. Your names will then be given to a boy or girl in the United States, who will write the first letter.