Student holds raffle for foreign exchange trip

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

Tanner Kohal has his sights set on Sweden. The 16 year-old Sandpoint High School junior is selling raffle tickets to help fund the expense of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

The program helps thousands of young people travel to distant lands and live for a year in the homes of host families selected by local Rotary Clubs. While abroad, the student attends school, shares household duties and assumes the life of a normal teenager in the country where they live.

Kohal—a lover of sports and outdoor activities—has already traveled quite a bit in his few years. Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada number his recent conquests. As a foreign exchange student, Kohal hopes to become an ambassador of the U.S. and to make long-lasting connections, while also learning the language.

Kohal will be selling raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses to help pay for the trip. The raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25. The grand prize is a season pass donated by Schweitzer Mountain Resort, with tons of other great prizes, including a pair of Festival at Sandpoint season passes, loads of gift cards, a cruiser bike and more. Kohal will be selling tickets outside of Winter Ridge on July 11 and 18 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and the Flying Fish Shop July 8 and 15 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. You may also call (208) 597-1600 or email amberkohal@gmail.com to purchase tickets.