European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday april 13, 1992 the stars and stripes c Page 9 p d to c n 11 o n form8 Dorry Mummy to Sissa Keas a Atterberry pupils visit russian counterparts Quot a. Ill. By Jimi Jones education writer Frankfurt Germany a before 11-year-old Katie Annen met her russian pen pal Natasha she did no to realize they had so much in common. Like Many of Katie a american friends at Atterberry elementary school in Frankfurt her pen Palms family will soon return to their Homeland because of a military draw Down. The bases that Natasha and Katie know nearly As Well As their Homes Are former German posts. Both Are taught by teachers who specifically were sent from their countries to teach. Katie was among Atterberry fifth graders who met their Short time pen pals in late february when they visited Natasha a school at the russian military a Nohra Cavern in Weimar Germany. Their trip to the former East German City was the brainchild of Dorry Hummer a teacher in the talented and gifted program at the Frankfurt school who toured Eastern Germany last summer. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, school visits and student Exchange programs Between the United states and former East bloc countries have become almost routine. But a visit to a russian military installation is rare. The trip was a a Nightmare a to arrange Hummer said since the russian Telephone system is not compatible with the German system. A in the past. They the russians wanted the isolation a Hummer said. A they did not want the russian soldiers to mix with the German population and mixing with americans was totally unheard  but after much ado the trip to the school with nearly 1,000 pupils in kindergarten through 12th Grade was coordinated. Thirty four american children along with teachers and parents found themselves at the russian military installation where statues and photos of soviet founder Vladimir Lenin still Are on displayed. A band played american songs As the group arrived. A it was like being in a Tom Clancy novel a Hummer said. A the kids loved it and parents were thrilled because they were All  scheduled were Tours Hummer of the school and the City a meal with soldiers in the dining Hall traditional russian performances games and a disco dance for students. Similarities Between the russian facilities a about a three hour drive from Frankfurt a and american ones were amazing Hummer said. The school system is organized much like the department of defense dependents schools but Only officers children can attend the russian school. A enlisted people Are younger Soldier Sand no families Are allowed a Hummer said. Also while some teachers Are soldiers wives others Are hired in Russia and brought to Germany just As Dodds teachers Are she said. The base set up a much like ours a is an old German army installation Hummer said. Buildings and the layout of the Post were similar to american ones Only the buildings on the russian base were a a lot More run Down a Hummer said. She described the school however As a attractive Well maintained colourful and classrooms Bright and  that several of the russian students spoke English made Katie Annen feel Quot kind of bad because i did no to speak russian except for a please a a thank you a a hello and those easy words. And they gave you All these Little presents. Things of their own a Katie said. A that made it special eleven year old Jayme Greer a fondest memory of the trip was spending the night in a russian Home. The russians and americans generally acted out what they wanted to say to get across the language Barrier. A their House was in a stairwell a Jayme said. A for breakfast we had some soupy Oatmeal. Their kids Only took two bites so me and the other girl who stayed did that too. We played some games and my pen pal came to their House and talked with  a reciprocal visit does no to appear to be in the cards. One reason is the draw Down of russian forces in Germany which has targeted half the Nohra base to return to Russia this month and the rest by the end of the year. The goodbyes Katie said were a emotional. The ladies and the girls were All crying a Katie said. A they Are not going to see us again. They really want to come see us but they have to get permission from this High  before the trip 10-year-old John Wiersgalla said he envisioned the russians As a mean and stuff. I did no to think they would be very Nice. But 1 found out they were just like  children treated to circus Aviano Italy it was a big top Day for Aviano elementary school pupils when the entire school took off on a circus adventure. Several youngsters got to be clowns assistants when they were pulled from the audience during a visit to the Budapest circus school officials said. Nearly 750 pupils teachers and parents attended the two hour hungarian circus which featured performing animals and human acrobatics. School officials say every child in school attended thanks to donations from Community organizations and individual families. Stars and stripes offers 2 scholarships. I i a a a a i  for Imp on pm or Holst Darmstadt Germany a the stars and stripes will award two $1,500 scholarships to seniors attending department of defense dependents High schools in Europe the newspapers publisher said. This is the second year that the stars and stripes has offered a substantial scholarships to deserving Young people Here in Europe a said col. Gene Townsend the newspapers commander and publisher. A we Are Happy to do that because the newspaper and Bookstore operations Are More than just entities in themselves a Townsend said. A they Are also representative of the elements that help to form a Community. A we want to stand with our Young people on graduation Day a Townsend said. As graduates Are handed their diplomas he said a a we want the institution of the stars and stripes to be represented in the  Townsend said the newspaper plans to continue offering the scholarships which were initiated during his tenure. The scholarships a a journalism Grant based on academic excellence and a general Grant based in part on financial need a will be announced during High school graduations. All 1992 graduates of Dodds in Europe Are eligible. To qualify for the journalism scholarship seniors must plan on entering a four year program with the intent of majoring in journalism or mass communication. Applicants must submit their High school transcript three examples of writing and a letter of recommendation from a journalism adviser or other instructor. To qualify for the general scholarship students must plan on enrolling in a four year undergraduate program. Applicants must provide a High school transcript letter of recommendation from a guidance Counselor or other instructor and an estimate of family income. Students must specify which scholarship they Are seeking. Applications must be postmarked by april 30. Applications Are available at High school guidance Counselor offices and Dodds regional offices. Applications can also be obtained by calling the stars and stripes at ets 348-8226 or civilian 49 06155-601237. Scholarship winners will be chosen by a panel made up of a professor a journalist from a . Daily newspaper and a representative of the stars and stripes