TO THE EDITOR

As the area representative for International Cultural Exchange Services, I would like to say a heart felt thank you to Lincoln County, Lincoln County High School faculty and students and especially the following host families for the amazing acts of kindness shown to the exchange students by opening their hearts and homes. Paul and Teresa Banks, Jill and Chris Clark, Christine and Clay Clark, Anna and Woody Duncan, Chris and Susan Heitman, Paula and Brian Henderson, David and Terry Newberry and Steven and Debra Reed.

Your hospitality and generosity will never be forgotten by the students, their parents or myself. Thank you for your time, gifts, family trips, etc. Thank you especially for the love you showed these teens while they were away from their parents, friends and homes.

LCHS was a wonderful experience for the students. The memories that they made will last them a lifetime. Each of them spoke of feeling safe, included and loved.

Thank you Mrs. Butler and Mrs. McWhorter for all the extra help you gave the students as well as myself.

I'd also like to thank the teachers that have gone out of their way to visit, call, e-mail or text the students before they left. You will never know how much your extra efforts meant to them.

Hosting a foreign exchange student isn't for everyone, but for those that are willing to open their hearts and homes, it's a wonderful way to learn of other cultures while sharing ours. They really seem to become a part of your family.

My family is about to host our third exchange student. We have hosted young ladies from Russia and Sweden. This year our exchange student is from China.

Thanks again to the families that hosted this year. God bless you!

For information on hosting, please call 706-359-4558. We only have four places open.

NANCY DAWKINS

ICES AREA REP