COUNTY LIFE

European teens experiencing lots of ‘firsts’ during exchange student year in Texas

Published

5 years ago

12/24/2021

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Both Mia Back and Kaya Feldthaus wanted to experience something different in their young lives, and they are finding an exchange year in Texas is full of firsts and a whole different culture than their European roots.
These two 16-year-olds are living west of Bowie with their host parents Michelle and Randy Hanson and their family in a country setting. They are attending Bowie High School in the eleventh grade.
Mia is from Erlach, Germany, and her parents are Daniela and Christian, plus one little brother age 14. At home, she is in eleventh grade and the school she attends has 12 grades. There are other schools that have different grade compositions.
Kaya hails from Tisvilde, Denmark. Her parents are Thomas and Christian and she has a 19-year-old big brother. At home, she attends a 0-9 grade school, and she graduated this past summer. She explains there is a grade 10 you can attend or you can take a “chill year” before going to university, where the classifications are first, second and third grade.
The young ladies arrived for their year in Texas as the school year opened. Neither one had ever really considered taking part in an exchange. Mia saw it on YouTube and thought it was “cool, something so different than my life in Germany.”

Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News.

Kaya Feldthaus and Mia Back are enjoying their school year at Bowie High School experiencing many new things like football games and marching band. (Courtesy photo)

COUNTY LIFE

‘Officer Bob’ retires after 34 years

Published

2 hours ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Bob Blackburn has fondly been called “Officer Bob,” for many years and it is a moniker he is happy to carry, spending more than 30 years working with the schools through local law enforcement.
Officer Bob has a heart for service he has shared through a total of 34 years in law enforcement, a lengthy career that comes to an end Oct. 30 as he retires after 25 years with the Bowie Police Department. He will continue as a reserve with the BPD and also wants to substitute teach.
“It’s time. I want to enjoy my kids and grandchildren, picking them up at school and going to games. I have loved working here and there has been an honest effort to get me not to retire, but I am in a good spot,” explains Blackburn one week from retirement.

Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.

(Top photo – Bob Blackburn hugs Mayor Gaylynn Burris as he receives a Bowie Knife plaque at his retirement party Oct. 30.)

COUNTY LIFE

Councilors approve park path project

Published

3 hours ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.

Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

Veterans Day events set

Published

4 hours ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Bowie High School will honor veterans at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school gym. Staff and students invite area veterans to join them for a veteran’s breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a ceremony where each veteran will be recognized for their service to the country.
Veterans are asked to register at: https://bit.ly/VeteransDay2026RSVP.
The staff of the Montague County Veteran’s Service office is partnering with the American Legion Post 220 for its Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the post home at 801 W. U.S. 82. Veterans and their families are invited to join a complimentary lunch.