Brazilian foreign exchange student Julia Borges built a substantial fan club during her time in Coupeville. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Gone, but never forgotten.
Julia Borges was only in Coupeville for a single school year, but she made a positive impression on everyone she met.
Facing culture shock, as the Brazilian native left São Paulo, the most populous city in the Western hemisphere, only to land smack-dab in the middle of Cow Town, USA, she responded by embracing every challenge.
During her year (2015-2016) as a foreign exchange student, Julia jumped headfirst into everything Coupeville offered.
A dancer, she joined the CHS cheer squad, taking advantage of an opportunity not generally offered in her own country.
“It is not common to have cheer-leading teams in Brazil, so that is a different experience that all the Brazilian girls would like to have,” she said back in the summer of 2015.
“I love dancing and I have been practicing it in Brazil since I was a child, so being a cheerleader is similar.”
Julia caught on so quickly, she cheered for her new classmates through both football and basketball season, and was selected as Most Improved by her coaches.
When the spring came around in 2016, she picked up a tennis racket and headed to the courts.
Along with two seasons as a cheerleader, Borges also played tennis for the Wolves.
There she proved to be a perfect doubles partner, teaming up with Julianne Sem to form a dangerous duo for a Wolf net squad which won a league title.
What always impressed me the most about Julia during her time in Coupeville was her quiet strength and how she showed kindness to all, whether they were teammates or foes.
Going from a home of 19 million people to a town of less than 1,900 had to be a huge transition.
Like all foreign exchange students, Julia would have been dealing with language barriers and perhaps some home sickness.
She responded by bringing out the best in those around her by simply being herself, a truly lovely young woman.
Julia might not have set any sports records while she wore the red and black of Coupeville, but she was a winner in every way.
She got the most out of her life-changing experience, and left behind a legion of fans.
While she might be a world away from Whidbey Island these days, Julia will always be a vital part of Wolf Nation – her serene spirit lighting up the universe.
So today we want to induct Miss Borges into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, to insure she always knows how highly everyone here regards her.
After this, if you stroll past the Legends tab at the top of the blog, you’ll find her there, a true Wolf, now and forever.
Thank you, Julia, for visiting our lil’ chunk of the globe and making it a much-better place while you were here.
As you become a soaring success out there in the world, always know you have two hometowns – the one where you were born, and the one that has adopted you as one of our own.
