How did you spend your summer? Swimming and bicycling? Working?
For Syracuse High School Senior Jay Gould, he took the opportunity of a lifetime. He explored Spain for five weeks with foreign exchange student Inigo Moral. Moral hails from Valladolid, Spain.
Last year, the Gould family took Moral on several trips to Denver, Kansas City, Lake McConaughy in Nebraska, and the mountains of Colorado.
Gould had hoped to spend a year in a Spanish speaking country, wanting to learn Spanish his whole life. “A lot of my friends and their families speak Spanish, so I really wanted to learn the language. I like the people and I love the food!”
He considered traveling to South America, Chile, or Argentina, “But nothing compares to immersing yourself completely in a language where you are forced to speak it, read it, and where everything is in Spanish,” said Gould, “When the two arrived last fall, the thought occurred to me, maybe I could go to Spain!”
“Inigo’s parents appreciated our hospitality, and agreed to let me come,” said Gould. The boys flew into Madrid and traveled two hours more to get to Moral’s hometown. The two spent a few days recuperating from the trip and did a little sightseeing.
The weather is Spain was like Syracuse, hot in the summer, “But no one has air conditioning, or clothes dryers,” said Gould. Cars were different too, “They all had manual transmissions and I did not recognize any car manufacturers, except for Renault, which is where Inigo’s father worked.”
Gould said, “My plan was to go to school, go to the gym and lift weights after school. When Moral returned to his routine of high school classes, Gould attended a Spanish language school. “There was women from Guyana, Thailand and Morocco. They were learning Spanish because they were living in Spain,” said Gould,” I was the youngest in my class, the rest were in their thirties.”
“Everything was in Spanish and my teacher did not know English, only French and Spanish. It was a little intimidating at first, but my understanding got better as the time went on because I had to communicate all summer in Spanish,” said Gould.
“I would go to school, then when school was out at 2:30, Inigo, his brother and I, wherever we were, we returned home to have lunch with his parents. Everyone eats lunch together, then it is siesta time! Everyone naps in Spain.” Their dinner hour was at 9:00 PM then off to bed. ‘We ate a lot of seafood, and the bread is amazing.”
Gould was able to speak some English with Moral’s family. “They would speak some English sometimes to help me relax a little bit, because they knew I was stressed speaking Spanish all day every day.”
Gould became immersed in local culture, the language, and seeing architecture.
They visited the expansive medieval Alcázar palace and the famous Segovia aqueduct, “The roman aqueduct, was beautiful,” he said, “The most we traveled in Spain was about three hours away. If you travel eight hours, you would be in a different country. Here in America, you’re in a different state.”
Weekends they spent visiting some popular tourist attractions. “The architecture is incredible in Spain, each city has a huge cathedral, which were both old and beautiful!” said Gould.
The two also attended a weeklong basketball camp in northeastern Spain. “We went from 8:00 AM to 11:00 at night! Basketball there is more physical, sort of like street basketball here. They do not care about the small things like traveling, or hands all over you, that’s normal for them,” explained Gould, “I had to be more aggressive.”
One highlight for Gould was participating in the celebration of Saint Antonio in a city about 15 minutes away called La Flecha. “Each city has their own saint designated that they celebrate,” said Gould, “The celebration continues all night, food, live bands, and thousands of people all packed together like sardines.”
The most fun part of the celebration for Gould was participating in the running of the bulls. “The roads are narrow, and they lined them with metal fences, leaving spaces between each panel so you could jump in and jump out,” he said, “The bulls are not special trained bulls, they are wild.”
“There were hundreds of people running either behind or behind the two bulls. I ran behind, and we all chased them into an arena then everyone was running around playing with them, taunting them with the red cloths, playing matador.”
Gould explained the arena was similar in size to the Herndon Gym. “When they are finished, they bring in tame cows with bells on them which calms the bulls, and they lead the bulls out of the arena.”
Gould communicated with people back home via WhatsApp, on his phone. “I had no idea what was happening in the United States, but was thankful to connect with everyone each night. I did get a little homesick on July 4th when all of my family was together, over there it was just another normal day.”
His five weeks in Spain came to an end and he traveled to Germany, to visit Lennart Niemeyer. Gould has wanted to see Germany and said it was green and beautiful. He was surprised by how much farmland there was there. “It reminded me of the United States. They raise wheat and corn, I wasn’t expecting that,
Niemeyer taught Gould a few words in German, the first was I have no change, “Because there is a lot of homeless people there,” said Gould.
Gould is grateful for the opportunity he had to make the trip possible. “I’m forever thankful to have met Indigo’s family and for everything they did for me. The thing I enjoyed the most from my trip was all of the relationships I built while I was there and all of the people I met. The friends I made, Inigo’s family, and my teacher and classmates.”
Gould is a few weeks into his senior year at SHS, playing football, and looking forward to basketball and baseball. His future plans include going into real estate in Garden City. “I am mentored by a good realtor who does not know Spanish and by knowing Spanish I could help that population,” said Gould. He hopes to return to Spain in a couple years to visit. “My time there was well spent, I definitely understand more, I’m not fluent yet, but I’m learning more.”
Drive ten miles north of Kendall where the blacktop ends, where the dust of the county dirt road flies. Travel a few more miles and on the Kearny County side of the border you will find the Horton Farmstead. Trees, farm equipment, a small backyard playground, barns, and a small,... [More]
Syracuse resident Marvin and Janet Weis returned home last week to find a package waiting at their door. Marvin was sure Janet had ordered something online. When they got inside and opened the manila envelope, Marvin was shocked to find he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal... [More]
“Since I moved back here, everything is falling into place.” Diena Schwieterman, 1986 SHS graduate made the decision to move home. “As soon as I made the decision, it seems like everything began falling into place.” Diena... [More]
Syracuse Bulldogs power lifting successful season is ending with nine athletes qualifying for the state meet Saturday, March 29 in Conway Springs at 9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT. Qualifying are Natalia Figueroa, Stella Simon, Deena Rochat, Angel Peralta, Angel Ramirez, Will Roberts,... [More]
Scams. Hackers. They are everywhere. They call your phone, text a simple hi, email you from what looks like a reasonable business. They are out for your money or your identity. We often think they get other people, not us. Local resident Ronna Simon is exasperated.... [More]
On Friday night, the stands were filled with students, parents, and spectators out to enjoy homecoming against the Sublette Larks. The pep rally started off the afternoon with contests and games to get the students excited. The JH Pep Band played, the cheerleaders performed,... [More]
If you think you have seen a little spaceship on the streets around town, you are not alone. Many of us have wondered what this new contraption is and how it works. According to City Administrator, Brian Bloyd, it is the new Ravo R5 street sweeper. “This replaces... [More]
In the last year and a half, Dairy Specialists has grown from working with three dairies to 15, and they have quickly outgrown their space. They found a larger facility in Ulysses with 12 acres that is centrally located to the dairies they service. No employees have to... [More]
It is a beautiful, rainy Wednesday morning as I write this. Gentle rains have fallen all over our county, polishing the trees with a shiny luster, washing away the dust and dirt, and giving our crops a push. I tried to take photos of the rain for the newspaper but nothing... [More]
It’s May! April showers bring May flowers! We got rain!! Over an inch in the northern part of the county. In town, I have dandelions. They don’t look pretty. I mow and they still come up. I am torn about dandelions. Dandelions are a healthy, nutrient rich food.... [More]
We are nearing the end of April. Showers are in the forecast for the next few days. Rain in southwest Kansas is a beautiful gift to be treasured! Life has been crazy, which has become the norm for me. Between sheep, work, my daughter’s track meets, and everything... [More]
It’s early Wednesday morning at 4:40 AM, as I sit in bed sipping a large cup of coffee writing a few notes on my phone to finish this week’s paper. I walked into church Sunday. I saw the message, Hallelujahs and headaches, and I laughed. That is the theme of... [More]
It’s bug season in western Kansas. It sounds like drops of rain falling but really it’s bugs hitting your windshield of your car or pickup, and they are a pain to clean off. But they are also a sign of warmer weather here! For a while now, I have been in a funk... [More]
Happy April! There is wind, rain, and snow in our forecast for the next couple of days. Happy spring in western Kansas. LOL. I have never been a big fan of April Fools Day but this year in particular April 1 was a rough one. It started off with a lot of gratitude... [More]
Happy Spring! Happy warm temperatures. Happy sunshine without extreme wind days! It is supposed to be 88 degrees today and tomorrow. Doesn’t that sun feel good? And how wild that a week ago there was still snow on the ground. It may sound crazy but I appreciate the... [More]
Does anyone remember the short story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry? It is one of my favorites. If I recall correctly, the couple sells their most treasured possessions to secretly buy each other Christmas gifts. Again it has been many years since I read the story, but... [More]
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Angela Rose Bennett, 41, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 27, 1983 in Shattuck, Oklahoma to David Lynn and Teresa Gwyn (Carmin) Bennett. Angela graduated high school in Wichita. She worked at The Boys Home and... [More]
Jason Wayne Helton, 55, of Salem, Arkansas, passed from this life on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Salem, Arkansas. Jason was born March 5, 1970, in Syracuse, Kansas to James “Jim” Wayne Helton and Barbara Louise (Todd) Helton. Jason worked in southwest Kansas for Syracuse... [More]
Goldeen Rose Claypool, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, in Cheney, Kansas, at the age of 93. Born on September 3, 1931, in Syracuse Kansas, Goldeen was the daughter of Glen "Bill" and Byrdine Hartshorn. She was preceded... [More]
A Celebration of life for Harvey Drake will be held at Garden Valley Church in Garden City, Kansas on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Ensz officiating. Inurnment will take place at Hartman Cemetery in Hartman, Colorado. Per Harvey’s... [More]
Kathryn Jeanette McCracken, 83 May 2nd, 1941 – April 16th, 2025 Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Kathy McCracken will be held at the Holly Methodist Church, in Holly, Colorado on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.... [More]
Miguel V. Baeza, husband to Carmen (Nieto) Baeza, father, grandfather, brother, businessman, and jack of all trades passed away on April 9, 2025. He was 68 years young. Born on September 11, 1956, Miguel immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 in search of a... [More]
Raymond Dwight Lohman entered this world on February 12, 1948 at Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. Dwight peacefully passed away on April 7, 2025 at the age of 77 surrounded by friends and family at the Hamilton County Hospital, Syracuse, Kansas. A... [More]
Hall Funeral Home 949 Main Street Waldoboro, Maine 04572 Dateline: Washington It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry “Stringbean” C. Wade, who left us on March 29, 2025, at the age of 69. Born on June 9, 1955, in Garden City, Kansas,... [More]
©2025 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.