 District
6970's inbound and outbound exchange students helped to kick off the annual
District Conference with an inspiring Parade of Flags at the luncheon held
Friday, May 19, 2006. Later that afternoon, in a plenary session that
focused on Youth Exchange, conference attendees heard from outbound
candidate Evan Fowler, current inbound Mariana Divardin, and former outbound
Jen Zebouni.
At that same session, District Governor Shann Purinton and
DG Elect Brent Williams presented YE Chairman Al Kalter with a special
district proclamation (photo at right), recognizing the accomplishments of
our internationally-honored Youth Exchange program.
Then, at the conclusion of the plenary session, our second
annual Exchange Student of the Year award was presented. The stunned
recipient was Amélie Cremers from Belgium, hosted by the Southpoint
Rotary Club.
Following the afternoon session, our inbound students
began a fun spring weekend, hosted by the Mandarin Rotary Club. They went to
the Williams YMCA for a pool and pizza party, then to Mandarin Mill
miniature golf course. On Saturday morning, they all got up early to head
back to St. Augustine, where they worked on a Habitat for Humanity home.
Following lunch and shopping on St. George St., the students were treated to
a cruise on the St. Johns River, and a party at the home of Mike and Debbie
Lindell.
The end of the weekend was one of mixed emotions, as these
inbound students, who had gotten so close over the past ten months, realized
that it would soon be time to say goodbye. But the friendships forged this
year will last a very long time, and we have faith in our inbounds to use
this year as a springboard to their futures and to a better, more peaceful
world. |
