The Napa County branch of the American Association of University Women is expecting a student from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, to matriculate at the Napa Valley College in the spring semester of 2008. A representative of the Napa County AAUW's International Relations Committee visited Launceston with the Napa/Tasmania Sister City Group in February 2007, and initiated the subject of giving a Tasmanian student an opportunity to study at Napa Valley College.

Principal Dennis Betts of Newstead College seized the opportunity, and a committee to select a student was formed. The committee elected Vanessa Vanderpols, 18, from among many applicants.

With the assistance of Napa Valley College and NVC student services director Oscar DeHaro, Vanderpols was offered a stipend that made it possible for her to study at NVC.

Vanderpols first visited in Napa as part of the Napa-Launceston Sister Cities program in 2006.

She was among 40 Newstead College students who traveled to Napa to perform "Launceston: It's About Us," a performance piece that illustrated Launceston's 200-year history through song, dance, poetry and acting.

"I loved visiting Napa ... and the city reminds me so much of Launceston, being of a similar size and surrounded by vineyards," said Vanderpols.

"There are 6,300 students at Napa Valley College, which will be a big change coming from a school of 400. I am looking forward to making heaps of new friends."

Newstead College Principal Dennis Betts said, "Vanessa is a wonderful young lady and will be a fine ambassador for our city."