This was an email I received from Ian Bond. Below is an explanation of the photos in his words.
(Diane Taylor)
Dear Presidents, Presidents Elect, and GRSP Hosts:
At the weekend Julie and I had the privilege of taking your GRSP students to the 2009 Conclave in Rome. Rarely have we been in the company of three such amazing young people. Kristoffer (LaGrange), Rashel (North Columbus), and Catriona (Columbus) are outstanding in so many ways. It was an absolute delight to transport them and to spend the weekend with them and the other 63 students from 28 countries. You would have been so proud of your students, who are clearly leaders among the rest of the class. They did so well in the cabaret on Saturday evening. The Danish students’ skit and Kristoffer’s narration was side-splittingly funny. Rashel and her sister Cristina (attending UGA), did a Lebanese dance that electrified the audience (they also joined in the Brazilian and the Russian dances!). The finale were the delightful songs and dances by Catriona and the Scottish contingent. Our three students also were selected to sing in the front row of the choir for the GRSP Peace Song. A proud moment for the LaGrange, Columbus, And N. Columbus Clubs! I have attached some photographs.
Georgia Rotarians invest $1.1m a year in these students. When I see the march of the flags and spend time with the students it reminds me of what a great investment this is. The students are ambassadors for their countries and the Rotary Clubs that endorsed them. When they go home next summer they become ambassadors for the Georgia/USA experience, promoters of world peace through understanding, and they become young leaders who have thoroughly incarnated the values of Rotary and the ideal of service above self. Georgia Rotarians are making a difference on the world stage through this program.
Thank you for your support of GRSP. The money, time, energy, and love that you and your Clubs invest in your student is worth is…a thousand time over.
Kind regards.
Ian
Ian A. H. Bond, M.A., D.Min.
Counseling and Special Services
Columbus Technical College
928 Manchester Expressway
Columbus, GA 31904-6572
Email: ibond@columbustech.edu
(Contact Ian for additional info about the Conclave)
