Student Weekend
November 2-4, 2007, Atlanta, GA
Co-hosted by the Alpharetta and Sandy Springs Rotary Clubs

by:  Linda Randolph, Sandy Springs Rotary Club

There were many memorable moments from the dinners at the high school and the YMCA and the whirlwind trip around to World of Coca Cola, Andretti’s, the Varsity and the Atlanta Zoo. We especially want to thank all the management of these places for our special perks. The students gathered special memories here to share with their families back home. Also thanks to Publix and El Azteca for providing the food for the dinners as well as some of our SSRC spouses. Here are some Quotes from our International Student visitors:

“Hi, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for a wonderful weekend! We all had a fantastic time and I personally loved that we all got to stay together on Saturday night. Please pass on a special thank you to the brave Rotarians who stayed with us.” (Swedish student.)

“I enjoyed the zoo, especially the pandas, the owl and the tigers. Thank you for taking my picture with the pumpkins.”  (Hungarian student).

The World of Coca Cola shop was another popular venue as the students returned to the bus with shopping bags full of goodies.

They have big appetites!!!! With 26 pizzas ordered for Saturday supper plus we served the left over salad, chips, and cookies from Friday night. All the pizza , except 5 slices, were eaten. 26 pizzas translates into 208 slices.

 The zoo really gave us the best time to interact with the students. I think the distance between the animals and the uniqueness of the exhibits lent itself to walking and visiting.

The students kept thanking our bus drivers, Harry and Bill. Those guys really have a way with these young people. Harry said it was the most fun he has ever had on a field trip. Harry has been driving with the Fulton County School System for eight years. As they left the bus for the last time, a lot of the girls hugged Harry and all of the students kept thanking him. They were on time, cheerful, and really delightful.

Most of all I want to give my sincerest “thank you” to all of you for making this a fabulous week-end. I had a wonderful time. Each part of this experience was unique: the planning; the Friday night that went so smoothly; Saturday sharing with the students; and Sunday morning sending them off with their rides. The reason we had no “glitches” was that everyone cheerfully did so much to make this week-end work. It is a pleasure to work as one part of such a great team.

The students commented most often on how much they enjoyed staying together for the evening at the YMCA and how they plan to get tickets to a football game in Athens and keep the camaraderie going!
.