Pelle Weiss completed the 2022-2023 school year as a foreign exchange student. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Nearly every school year, STC welcomes exchange students from around the world, this year being no different. In August 2022, Pelle Weiss stepped off a plane and began his new life in a county far from his native Germany. Weiss took full advantage of his time in the United States, by participating in activities both familiar and new, creating lifelong bonds and relationships, and by behind himself Weiss has cemented his legacy as an impactful member of the community no matter where he was born.

Weiss returned to Germany Saturday, June 10, and his absence has already been felt.

Pelle (Pronounced like Pella the city) Weiss asked to share some of his favorite memories and say thank yous from his time in the community.

Providing Context

In a text interview while on his plane ride back to Germany, Weiss shared bits and pieces of his stay in America.

Weiss happily smiles in his senior pictures, fully embracing American culture. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Where is your home in Germany and who is in your family?

I’m from a city in Lower Saxony called Goettingen, which is pretty much right in the middle of Germany (just like Iowa in the US). My parents are Anne and Florian and my three older sisters are Jonna, Lene, and Inken.

What made you want to embark on an exchange trip?

All of my sisters did an exchange year and they really enjoyed it, so for me it was pretty clear that I wanna do an exchange year as well. I came here with a program named Greenheart.

At what point did you know where you were going?

Weiss enjoyed the full year in Iowa, arriving in August 2022 and departing in June 2023. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

I knew where I’m going only 2 months before I left. I didn’t know anything about Tama or Iowa before I got placed here. I instantly visited the school website and checked out Basketball and Music. Everything sounded pretty cool and that got me really excited.

Who were your host parents and what were some fond memories?

When I arrived, my host parents Jo and Mike Avis waited for me to get my luggage. Gladly, all my luggage made it to Des Moines and I was ready to go. Jo, Mike, and I got along really well from day one on. I was really scared before meeting them the first time (especially the 90 minute drive from the airport), but it was super easy and we instantly started joking around. We definitely share the same humor which made me feel really comfortable from the beginning. Highlights with them were definitely trips to Minneapolis or the Mississippi River and the everyday conversations from joking around to serious heart-to-heart conversations.

Who are some friends you have met along the way this year in Iowa?

Thanks to all the activities I attended, I did not have trouble finding friends at all. I definitely made some friends for life and that is amazing! Just to mention a couple of names (Kayla, Jenna, Jonathan, Tommy, Zoey, Maeley, Holden, Braxten and many more). I’m beyond grateful for everything they’ve done for me and for making my year so special!

How was your first day of US high school?

I was really nervous before the first school day. Since we’re in one classroom the whole day in Germany, I wasn’t used to changing rooms in between classes. So, finding all the classes in 4 minutes took some time. The locker wasn’t easy either.

Take me through some of the activities you were a part of while at South Tama High School.

I started with marching band right on the first school day and I’ve never done or seen anything like this before. That was incredible for me and I was super grateful for that opportunity and it made it a lot easier to find friends! My band director Mr. Mike Carnahan welcomed me to the STC Band Family from day one and now, at the end of the year, I have a really special bond with him, so a huge thanks to him as well.

I’ve been playing basketball since I’m a little kid and Basketball was a huge influence in my decision to do an exchange year in the United States. It was always a dream for me to experience High School Basketball and I’m super thankful that this dream came true! A huge thank you goes to my coach Dustin Peska who included me from the start on. I’m a big NBA Fan (Lakers) and watching the games at a decent night time was amazing too. Since Germany is in a different time zone (+7 hours), it is really hard to watch the games live.

After the basketball season and Marching Band Season ended, I was preparing for my next great adventure: the Solo Ensemble Contest where I performed a solo on my own and with the brass quintet in front of a judge. That was a lot of fun and something totally new for me as well. Thank you to Mr. Carnahan for putting me in the Brass Quintet and working with me on my Solo! I was even able to get a Division 1 with both Ensembles and on my own Solo I even got a perfect ballot. During all that, I was also part of the Concert band and Jazz band which was a lot of fun too. I was already part of a Concert Band and a Big Band back home.

Last but not least, I participated in track and field. That was something I have never done before and it was an amazing experience! I was a long distance runner and gladly a lot of my friends were too. This really taught me a lot. Since I was a complete newbie in running, I kinda doubted myself at the beginning but I learned that you can better your times really easily and quick.

Thanks to Mr. Mayo and Mr. Tyynismaa for letting me experience that amazing adventure.

At the end of my year, I also joined the community band which was a really good mix of different genres, from marches, over Jazz, to convert band pieces. I was always looking forward to the rehearsals and we had an incredible performance and the Lincoln Highway Festival.

In Germany, the activities are mostly private and not connected to the school. To be able to practice with your classmates every single day and seeing the whole school support the teams was great!

I remember my first Football Home Game with the Marching Band, I was really overwhelmed by the great support of the students.

Did you have any favorites of what you participated in?

It’s really hard for me to pick my favorite activity because I met most of my friends in band, playing basketball was a dream come true, and track was a completely new adventure with most of my friends in it as well.

What does graduating from an American high school mean to you?

Graduating in an American High School was unforgettable! The whole ceremony and the cap and gown thing is incredible. We don’t have that in Germany. Since I still have to finish school in Germany, I didn’t really feel like a graduate but it kinda wrapped up my high school experience.

After graduation, how did you spend your final weeks in Iowa?

In the last couple of weeks after graduation, I tried to spend as much time as possible with my host parents and my friends.

What takeaways do you have from this experience?

Doing this exchange year was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I will never forget all the incredible memories I’ve made. I think I’m pretty confident in saying that I had the best time of my life over here!

Weiss is now home with his family in Germany, where he has two more years of high school to complete. Plans are already in place for Weiss to come visit when possible.

Through his stay, Pelle touched the hearts of many. With a larger than life personality and an even larger heart, this loud, caring, fearless, adventurous, and loving foreign exchange student has become so much more for so many people.

Although an ocean and 4,500 miles now separates Weiss from his second home, lasting effects will be felt for years to come and his bonds remain strong.