The Community School student body and boys' basketball team officially has a new addition. He is an athlete who is tall at 6 foot, 7 inches and possesses unique basketball talent.
Daniel Gomis, an international student from the West African country of Senegal, has received approval from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to become a full-time student at The Community School, the Sun Valley independent school announced on its Web site Monday.
The Web site explained in an article written by admissions director Katie Robins, "Daniel first came to the United States on a B-2 visitor's visa as part of the efforts of the SEEDS Foundation to take English language courses in California and to play basketball.
"Over the past five months, members of the TCS community have worked to change his status from visitor (a B-2 visa) to student (an F-1 visa). Now that approval of the change has finally been granted, Daniel can be a full-time student at The Community School, carry a full course load and receive high-school credit for his work.
"At 6-7, Daniel is hard to miss on campus, but as noticeable as his stature are his heart and willingness to share his talents with the entire school.
"As a junior, his presence is greatest in the upper school, but he's also made a strong impression in the elementary and middle schools, as he has taught French (his native language) to fifth-grade students, shared his basketball prowess with elementary PE classes, acted as an assistant coach for the middle school boys' basketball team and run an after-school French Club for the middle school."
Robins added, "After 9/11, the federal government enacted stricter regulations regarding school-issued student visas. Beginning in 2008, The Community School worked to complete the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System application process, in order to receive official approval to sponsor exchange students for visas.
"The process culminated with an inspection visit from SEVIS, after which the school was granted final approval to issue I-20 visa sponsorships for foreign exchange students.
"Daniel is the first exchange student we have issued a visa for since we were approved by SEVIS and we are thrilled to have him here. He has already proved himself an ambassador for global awareness in our school community and we sincerely hope to see more students like him in the future."
According to Athletic Director John Remington, Gomis has been practicing this fall with the Cutthroat boys' varsity basketball team. He is living with a local family. And college scouts have visited the campus to watch him play, he said.
Remington said member schools of the eight-school Northside Conference voted 7-1 to approve Gomis' participation in regular-season games in the current 2009-10 season.
After consulting with Northside coaches and finalizing Gomis' status with the Idaho High School Activities Association on Wednesday, Remington said Gomis will not be able to participate in the post-season Northside Conference basketball tournament—based on IHSAA rules about international students.
