Wanted: Host family for exchange student

Northwest Services Peace Program is seeking a host family in the Kentwood High School area for an 18-year-old Brazilian exchange student.

A family that was scheduled to host Bernardo Riva has had to cancel because it’s moving from the area. Riva is scheduled to arrive late in August and stay until the end of the 2008-09 school year next June.

Kim Williams, a spokeswoman for Northwest Services, said the student will have his own money for expenses and also will have accident and health insurance. He’ll live with his host family while attending school.

Prospective hosts can contact Williams at (206) 459-5477.More information is available at www.nw-services.com.

Williams said Riva likes playing soccer, watching movies and wind surfing.

DeSisto honored for environmental studies

Christopher DeSisto was honored as an Outstanding Graduate for 2007-08 and as the Presidential Scholar for the Huxley College of the Environment during Western Washington University’s commencement June 14.

DeSisto, son of Mario and Juanita DeSisto of Maple Valley, graduated with a degree in geography emphasizing natural-resource management, the field he plans to make a career. While a Western student, he conducted research on the Elwha River and Clallam County’s wildfire risk. He presented his findings at the Western Snow Conference and the Washington Geographic Information Science Conference.