For senior Annabel Champlin it was always ‘un rêve devenu réalité’ (a dream come true) when she spent her junior year living in France. When Champlin mentioned this desire to her parents in the 7th grade, they set multiple expectations for her to meet. Good grades and good behavior were non-negotiable. After meeting those requirements, taking online courses to meet her needed credits and even switching schools her sophomore year, Champlin took the opportunity to spend her junior year in Perpignan, France. “I wanted to study abroad because I loved French culture and the language. I’ve always thought it to be such a beautiful place so when I heard about the opportunity to live there, I knew it was for me.” Champlin said. 

Champlin spent a total of 10 months in a foreign country while living with a host family and attending a French school. Not only did she adopt a new culture but she also adopted a new home away from home. “I was super lucky to have gotten such an amazing host family and placement in the south of France. I had two host sisters, one older and one younger and I consider them my family.” Champlin said. She has made lasting friendships and will continue to appreciate this once in a lifetime opportunity for the rest of her life. 

Not only is Champlin a world traveler, but she is also a published author. Her children’s book, Olivia the Ladybug in France, details her foreign exchange from the perspective of a ladybug named Olivia. Champlin has recently been reading her book to elementary school classrooms around the district. She wrote and illustrated the entire thing during her exchange and published it when she returned home. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. 

When Champlin isn’t in another country or writing and illustrating a book, you might find her on the stage performing a musical or preparing for college. Although she misses the French transportation system and the food in France she has big plans now that she’s back home for her senior year. She plans on being in this year’s musical as well as taking several college visits before she decides where to attend college. She hopes to attend a school on the East Coast, majoring in political sciences.

Champlin is fiercely confident and can do anything that she puts her mind to. Whether she’s studying in France, the East Coast, or even just Conway Highschool she will leave a lasting impact wherever she is.