Ilion High School - Class of 1975

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1974 02462.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Photo Caption: ENJOY A NEW FRIEND - Members of the George H. Getman family of Ilion have been swapping information about each other's homeland with Yasushi Takase, a 17-year-old foreign exchange student from Japan. Yasushi will spend one year with the Getmans while attending Ilion High School as a senior. Yasushi brought gifts with him which reveal the customs and culture of his native land. From left, Carole, Anne, Yasushi and Gail, with Ross standing.

American Steak Tops With Japanese Student
By Jim Judson

ILION - Yasushi Takase, 17, of Yokohama, Japan, will arrive in Ilion this summer as a foreign exchange student at Ilion High School, according to Mrs. Gloria Long. president, Ilion Chapter, American Field Service.

ILION - Yasushi Takase, an American Field Service student from Japan staying with the family of George H Getman, said that he enjoys all kinds of American food but when pushed for a reference, it would have to steak.

Yasushi celebrated the anniversary of his first month in the United States after arriving in Syracuse from his home in Yikohama.

The 17-year-old youngster enjoys all sports and plans to participate in some during his one-year stay with the Getmans. Yasushi will enroll as a senior at Ilion High School next month.

George and Hazel Getman are involved in several civic and social organizations, as are most of their nine children, and the young Japanese student is looking forward to participating in some of them.

One fact that impressed Mrs. Getman is that Yasushi "tries everything" and enjoys taking part in activities centered around the family. She said that he probably most enjoys taking a dip in the family's pool.

Getman had about three years of learning the Japanese language during his years in military intelligence and was able to welcome the young man in his native language. According to Ross, the Getmans' 15-year old son, "Dad had to cram a few nights though before Yasushi arrived."

Yasushi has aspirations of becoming a diplomat for his native country and noted that he is now laying a sound foundation for that goal.

He has taken an intense interest in the recent history of the United States and has taped former President Nixon's resignation, President Ford's acceptance address and also yesterday's appointment of Nelson Rockefeller to the vice-president's position.

Yasushi will be initiated into the high school's social climate tonight while being guest of honor at an AFS sponsored dance.

Since arriving, Yasushi has toured the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Herkimer County Fair. Mrs. Getman said that several family excursions have been planned to show as much of the country to the Japanese lad as possible.

Mrs. Getman says that Yasushi has been a valuable source of information about his homeland, offering the Getman family explanations about the Japanese way of life and, hopefully, the family can give as much as they receive in information about America.