Martina Abello is much different from any other De Soto High Schooler: She was born in Spain. Although she comes from a different place, several students have befriended her quickly.

“[I met her] The second day of school. She was really shy, and so I asked her if she was a foreign exchange student, and she said yes,” freshman Olivia Mills said, “She’s really fun, and everyone likes her accent.”

Mills and Abello share drama and physical education classes together, but where Martina really shines is in Spanish Five, according to Spanish teacher Nancy Perry.

“It is such a good experience for the other students to hear a native Spanish speaker,” Perry said, “It’s a fabulous experience because I try and draw in the culture of Spain with everything we talk about in class… I often ask ‘how is it done in Spain?’ and they either don’t do it or do it completely different.”

Despite coming from a completely different region of the world, Abello has made new friends through becoming involved in girls’ volleyball.

“She seems to be doing fine, she fits in with the girls really well,” said Alysha Bell, “A lot of the girls have like taken her under their wing and trying to show her different things so she can get the full American experience.”

Not only has Abello impacted the social dynamic of the volleyball team in a positive way, but according to principal Dustin Mortenson she also has a much different role in the social dynamic of DHS.

“I think it’s a good experience for us (DHS Students) and for them (Abello). Both people win; they get to experience our high school, Midwest, De Soto, and we get to experience a different perspective to… their culture as well,” said Mortenson.

Abello has brought a different perspective to the halls of DHS.