Somos Parte De La Familia Thomas Jefferson by Kenny Varner

Somos Parte De La Familia Thomas Jefferson by Kenny Varner

Row 1 from left: Anna Ruiz, Haley Johnson, Storey Martin, Deanna Rice, & Madeline Laiche. Row 2 from left: Meredith Hurst, Melissa Stallings, & Jordan Bedford.  Row 3: Margaret Denny, Amanda Gelpi, Alison Pourciau, Alex Andrepont, Lauren LeJeune, & Leah Saal.  Row 4:  Kenny Fasching-Varner, Blair Claypoole, & Ken Denny.

Who would have thought three weeks ago that the last day with kids would come so soon?  Having led this group through other institutions and having seen how study abroad works we know that participants have life changing experiences.  Last night the Thomas Jefferson PTA hosted a gala reception for our group complete with cocktails, appetizers, main course, and dessert.  The night was a fantastic celebration of the inaugural LSU in Chile group.  The host families, host teachers, administrators, and participants of the program celebrated the accomplishments and for the LSU folks we had the opportunity to say thank you and present the families with certificates. For the US families you will be receiving your loved ones back, but they are not the same people.  It was evident last night that the "alma" (soul) of Chile has touched each of our folks.  Below are just a few pictures because they were fun.  More to come of course -- we will be trying to figure out a way todo a group share of photos.