Many people know the feeling of euphoria when the wrapping paper is torn free to reveal the CD or video game that he or she has been wanting since before Thanksgiving. But what went into acquiring that special present? What store was solicited to obtain the desired gift? Senior Susie Bylund said she shops in Des Moines at the Jordan Creek mall. Adam Steffes, also a senior, said he shops for gifts everywhere, including the grocery store.
    So once a person has located the prized item, he or she has to pay for it. Bylund said she once spent $75 on one person. As small as it is, an iPhone can cost a whopping $450, which some students received last year for Christmas.
    Neither Bylund nor Steffes have a special tradition for Christmas shopping. Steffes said he walks down the aisles until he sees something he knows someone will like. The latest Steffes has ever shopped for Christmas was a mere week before the celebrated day. Bylund, on the other hand, leaves it until the 11th hour, running to the stores the day before Christmas. Whether a person spends a lot of money or a little, this Christmas season will be a fun hunt for that special gift for that special someone.

    Audubon High School received three foreign exchange students for the 2013-2014 school year through the AFS program. One of the three is Karl Segerborg of Sweden. He is enjoying his year so far and said, “It has been an awesome experience so far. Time has gone by very quickly.”
    Segerborg's host parents are Mark and Sandy Nissen of Audubon. “The Nissens are a great family and fun to live with. We do lots of fun stuff together, like going places.” He also enjoys hanging out with Bradley Nissen, son of Mark and Sandy, and said, “I am also very happy to have a brother who is almost the same age as I am.”
    Segerborg was a very successful kicker for the football team and enjoys participating in the arts. “Music activities like band and chorus have been my favorite school activities so far.”  Segerborg is a very talented musician and is capable of playing multiple instruments in band, including the guitar, piano, xylophone, cello, snare drums and more.
    His favorite American food is Casey’s pizza. He claims, “I didn’t know taco pizzas existed before I came here.” He’s noticed many differences between America and Sweden since his arrival. Some major ones he mentions are the interaction of people and the use of the car. “In Sweden we don’t use the car nearly as much as you do,” he said.
    Segerborg looks forward to the rest of his school year here in America and said, “I can’t believe it was about 100 days ago when I arrived.”

  For many years, Audubon has had foreign exchange students, and this year Oscar Felfel is one of them. Felfel came from Vallensbaek, Sjaelland, Denmark all the way to Audubon, Iowa. Felfel says so far, “I like it [Audubon] a lot. It’s a nice little town with a lot of nice people. A nice community, all in all.”
    Felfel was a member of the football team with the position of kicker. In Denmark, Felfel played soccer and wishes this year to join the track team. Felfel said, “[soccer] is my favorite sport, but I also enjoyed the football season a lot!”
    Felfel wants to come back after graduation to visit his host family and catch up with some old friends. Felfel remarks, “I think I have some pretty good friends here. Of course I’m not talking to everybody, but I think I have made some good friends.” Felfel enjoys time with his host parents, Brad & Christena Hemmingsen, and sibling Shawn. He says he has more “family time” here than back home, but he says he likes it and how close they are as a family. “Things are a lot different, but similar,” said Felfel. In Denmark the schooling system is harder, but the language switch here is fairly hard. His favorite classes are Economy, American History, and Sports and Fit. Felfel hopes for the rest of the year to be as good as this beginning.

Something students have been waiting many months for is just around the corner.

Many students from Audubon High School are currently gearing up for hunting season.  With bow season already in full swing and with trapping having started last Saturday, this season is already in full swing.

Sophomore Nathan Hagedorn is very excited. He plans on hunting coyotes all winter, deer during shotgun season, and trapping for raccoons and beavers this year. He stated, “I hunt and trap because it is a fun thing to do”, and because it is also a fun activity to participate in while with friends.

Another sophomore, Derek Nielsen, is also excited for this upcoming season. He is also planning on hunting deer and coyotes, and he will probably participate in those activities alongside Hagedorn.

Senior Matt Fett said, “I just ordered a new ladder stand (for bow season).” He is very excited to get to use it, and he enjoys bow season immensely.

Hunting is a very valued part of many students’ lives. It is something to do when it’s raining or snowing instead of being cooped up in the house. Whether the hunting is done here or many miles away, all that hunt can agree that it is a passion that cannot be ignored.