CIEE and Department of State Visits Area Families

Over the last couple of weeks, the Department of State and CIEE have been in the area to make sure our students are safe!  This has been stressful for everyone involved ..... schools, Local Coordinators and host families alike.  Here is a photo of the Winn family during a recent site visit from CIEE representative Ben O'Connell.  You can see the worry in the eyes of everyone involved.!

GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY

On April 26, nine area students participated in an activity focusing on how government works in the United States, both at the federal and local levels.  We started out with a meeting at Congressman Mo Brooks' Huntsville office where we met with members of his staff.  Next we went to the office of the Mayor of the city of Huntsville to meet with a member of his staff.  At both offices, staff gave us an overview of their boss' job and answered a number of excellent questions posed by the students. Finally, we attended a Huntsville City Council meeting where the local CIEE students were recognized in an official resolution.

Each student received a certificate signed by the

Mayor and member of the City Council

Juneseong who aspires to be a politician sits at the Mayor's desk

Students pose with the Mayor and Council members in the Council Chambers

MEMPHIS TRIP

Jim, Mary, and ten Huntsville area students left after school on Friday for the weekend of April 14 and 15 in Memphis.  Yvonne Alldaffer, an LC from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, joined us there with four of her students and we all had an awesome time together!  In Memphis we went to Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, and the Memphis Zoo.  We also attended an NBA game, the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Utah Jazz. We stayed a really nice downtown hotel within walking distance to most everything!

HERE WE ARE AT GRACELAND

  

HERE WE ARE IN THE HOTEL LOBBY

HERE WE ARE JUST BEFORE THE NBA GAME

AFTER THE GAME NORINA AND PAULA POSED WITH A PLAYER

OUR LAST STOP, THE MEMPHIS ZOO

CHATTANOOGA TRIP

On March 17, we spent the day in Chattanooga with the Chattanooga Cluster.  Nine students and three LCs from our cluster attended.  First we went on a relaxing riverboat cruise on the Tennessee River and enjoyed a delicious lunch.  The world renowned Tennessee Aquarium was next on the agenda. By the time we'd finished touring the massive aquarium, it was time for dinner and everyone was free to choose from the wide variety of Chattanooga's downtown restaurants.  After dinner we had time to explore downtown and take a stroll across the Tennessee River on the Chattanooga's walking bridge where we hooked up with a group of Christian musicians.

 Huntsville Area Students in front of Southern Belle

Students from Chattanooga and Huntsville pose for a photo

Annie and Jessica enjoy the Tennessee Aquarium

Students prepare to touch the river rays in the hands-on area of the aquarium

Jessica and Annie with a Chattanooga friend in the shark cage

The day winds down as the students enjoy the music of a group of young Christian musicians on Chattanooga's walking bridge

The musicians pose with the students just before we head home