 The
Ultimate Tribute
Maynard L.
Knestrick, 1946 - 2004
Maynard & his wife, Kay,
hosted many GRSP students, in
addition to the countless other internationals, in their home.
Maynard was a member of the Henry
County Rotary Club. Kay is a member of the Clayton
County Rotary Club and an Advisory Trustee. They are
co-authors of the GRSP Host Family Handbook
and GRSP Student Handbook.
Host Families!
From the outset, the
GRSP Host Family has been one of the major and
most vital elements that sets this
"ambassadorial" scholarship apart -- and
at the forefront -- from all other Rotary
scholarships and similar non-Rotary scholarship
programs.
Over the past 53 years, Georgia Rotarians, their
spouses and children have hosted the 2,423
students that form our unique alumni. We know how
many students have passed through the "open
doors" of Georgia Rotarian's homes. But,
unfortunately, we don't have any record of how
many "special families" have provided
these open doors to open homes and most
importantly, to these open hearts. For this data,
we can only speculate. But certainly, it far
exceeds 2,000 families.
To make GRSP successful, it takes the
contributions of many... organizationally,
administratively and financially. But no single
element has contributed more to the real success
of the Program than all the past host families.
They are the "unsung heroes and
heroines". For it is they, who have really
made it happen.
How often have you heard GRSP students say,
"This has been the best year of my
life!" They mean it. You can see it in their
eyes. You can hear in their hearts. And why?
Because there was a loving, caring, compassionate
host family there throughout the student's year --
a Georgia Rotary family who made the total GRSP
experience complete.
The host family concept has evolved over these
many years. Mr. & Mrs. Watt started it. It was
nourished by the Molnar's, Weisiger's and the
Thomas'. In 1989 at the Thomasville Conclave, I
vividly recall Hue Thomas' wife, Alma speak of how
excited she was each Fall to see her "new
crop" of kids. Surely, her friends must have
thought this grand Southern lady was ready for the
"home". But if they were truly her
friends, they certainly would know that Alma and
Hue helped set the "standards" for
hosting international students and for making each
of them experience the essence of the American
family, in the true Southern tradition. And their
legacy continues. In fact, the host family role in
GRSP continues to be at the forefront of change in
the recent past and will continue to grow during
our next half century.
What's so unique about the host family's role?
It's vital to two critical aspects of a student's
life:
• The student's year
while as a GRSP scholar, here in Georgia; and
• The years that follow as the student
"ambassador" pursues his/her life's
mission.
While in Georgia, the host family is the surrogate
family... sometimes serving as the Georgia
"mom and dad" or as "big sister and
big brother". They are always there... there
for the good times, sharing in the laughter and
joy... and during the "not so good"
times when a listening ear and compassionate heart
helps dry the tears, console the soul and restore
the confidence and conviction. These families for
50 years have been the real connection to America,
Georgia and our Southern culture.
It's far more than showing these students the
beauty and resources of our great State. It's
showing them the human values that we stand for
and somehow, how those values are the same they
wish for themselves and for their children. It's
the countless hours invested in a most worthy
cause. It is, ultimately, touching "one
life" for 10 to 11 months, sharing one's
self, giving love and understanding without
condition, and nurturing an "international
peacemaker" to excel to new levels of insight
and achievement. Beyond that, it's the host family
who makes the Rotary "connection" for
the student, bringing the student and his/her
sponsoring Rotary club(s) together for a year of
meaningful experiences and relationships. While
the nouns, adverbs and adjectives could go on and
on... this is the essence! Yet this is just the
beginning of the saga.
For these 50 years, host families have found the
GRSP year never ends. That's part of what makes
these families so special -- to the students and
to the Program's mission. When the student returns
home, a new life emerges for the student and for
the Georgia family, that shall always have an
adopted international son or daughter. For the
years that follow, the host and student generally
continue a long-distance dialogue and
relationship, keeping the flame of Peace
Through World Understanding burning.
For the family, the joys of the GRSP experience
and long-term relationship arrive in the mail box
as greeting cards and letters for family
birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and especially,
at Christmastime. It's those wonderful phone
calls, letters and e-mails that keep the
"connection" in tact. It's looking at
the photo albums of that very special year on a
cold winter's night as the fire blazes in the
fireplace. It's the gift "treasures"
that remain in the host's home that continue to be
prominently and proudly displayed, long after the
student has left Georgia. It's the special return
visits when the student comes "home" to
his/her Georgia family, along with his/her new
spouse and their children. And the list goes on
and on...
Ultimately... it is the Host Family that breathes
"life" into GRSP's mission. It is the
Host Family that keeps that "life" at
the forefront for the years that follow. Yes,
these special people may be the unsung heroes and
heroines. But they are the quiet Rotarians... the
truly dedicated Rotary families who continue to
sing the mission of GRSP so the choruses of this
Program can continue to resound throughout the
World!
Bravo to all the
Host Families for 50 years. Applause...
Applause... Applause!!!!!
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