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Having grown up enjoying the subdued beach life in his native Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Danny Agee now thinks of the remote mountains of North Carolina as his new home away from home.

He used to swim in the sun for fun; these days, when he has the opportunity, the 19-year-old snowboards instead.

Agee returned to the small town of Arden in the Tar Heel state this fall to play his second year of football while studying at the Christ School as a member of the USA Football International Student Program (ISP).

The initiative gives student-athletes from around the world the chance to play the sport they call American football and study at U.S. prep schools. A total of 12 international student-athletes who meet specific academic and athletic criteria are enrolled in schools in five different states and receive financial aid from the program. Agee is the only Mexican member of the group.

"Last year was new territory," said Agee, who was initially surprised by the culture shock of contrasts between Mexico and North Carolina. He gradually made the transition from home to his new surroundings during his first year as a member of the ISP.

"It took me a little while to get into the swing of things," he added. "This year I just came in and I knew exactly what we were doing. I knew all my teammates, all the offense and the defense. So it was much easier."

Another adjustment Agee made when he first arrived at the Christ School was on the field. He learned a new position. Agee secured his place in the ISP based on his performances as a quarterback in Mexico, but the Greenies already had two signal callers on the roster when he arrived.

"So I started to play receiver and then our kicker quit to play soccer," Agee explained. "And then I said I'd try out for kicker to take his place because I had nothing to lose."

Agee has not looked back since.

"I ended up winning a couple games for the team with field goals and making All-Conference and All-State," he added. "It felt great! Not many people can say they did that in their first season."

Keen to capitalize upon his newfound talent, Agee continued working on his kicking skills in the off-season and attended the Professional Kicking Services kicking camp run by Robert Pelfrey in Reno, Nevada. The program provides training for professional free agents as well as college and high school kickers and punters. Some current NFL players have attended the camp, including Jay Feely of the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets veteran punter Jeff Feagles.

"Robert Pelfrey said I have potential to a good kicker, possibly a professional kicker, so that got me excited," Agee said. "I would certainly like to continue playing once I graduate from the Christ School."

Agee has continued to show his potential this season for the Greenies. In his school's first three games, he went a perfect eight-for-eight on extra point attempts and hit a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the year's first win against Northside Christian Academy.

Agee has punted 25 times for a total of 800 yards - and a 32-yard average - while also handling kickoff duties with 15 for 755 total yards, helping Christ School to a 3-3 record to begin the 2008 campaign.

"We have high expectations for this season," Agee said. "I personally just want to help the team any way I can so we can achieve our maximum goal, which is to be state champions - which is very possible this year.

"And of course I would like to make All-State again. I just need more opportunities to kick the ball."

Aside from their on-field prowess, Agee and his fellow athletes in the ISP must meet their school's rigorous academic requirements, which for some is a challenging aspect of their experience in the United States.

"I'm actually doing great," Agee said. "I'm struggling a little in math, but other than that, I'm doing really well. Academics are very important here, and I take my studies as seriously as I do my football."

Agee's development has led to him receiving interest from nearby schools Wofford College and Presbyterian College in South Carolina, but he has not made any final decisions regarding his future.

"I am waiting until the football season is over to see if I get any more offers and will take it from there," he explained. "But I definitely plan on playing football in college next year."

Until then, he continues to enjoy the picturesque surroundings of North Carolina and the Christ School, which enabled him to try snowboarding for the first time last year.

"It has become like a home for me here," Agee said. "It is a really tight community, which I am grateful for. I'm enjoying football, I'm enjoying school, and I am just about ready to go to college."

Agee's upcoming Christ School schedule sees him face Lake Christian School on Oct. 10 and Ben Lippen School on Oct. 17 (both at home, 4:30 p.m.) before traveling to Hickory Grove at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

And then perhaps the playoffs and a state championship beckon for Puerto Vallarta's international football export.