Ms. Capps is the happy lass from Auckland

by Jeff Olsen

Maren Capps, all of 14 and the daughter of Kelly and Erin Capps, was sitting in this amazingly large kitchen directly across the table from her grandmother, Tallie Habstritt, who only a few days earlier had warned, "Don't expect much more than a yes or no from her."

What a surprise.

The young lady spoke in full sentences, didn't mumble, and was animated.

Tallie fessed up that she'd had a talk with her granddaughter. Throughout the 45 minutes, Maren was the life of the party.

She is spending her ninth grade year at Roseau High School far away from her home in Auckland, New Zealand...