Blanca Ruebensaal, from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, recently visited Fuqua School and presented the school with a certificate of appreciation.

Fuqua School participated in a State Department program and was honored to host two students, Arham Ali, of Pakistan, and Danel “Ellie” Akhmetova, of Kazakhstan.

Thousands of well-rounded, international applicants, with great academic standing, applied for the program and few were offered the opportunity to study in America.  During their year in the United States, they continued their academic studies and learned about American culture.  They will take what they learned here back to their home countries to positively influence their communities.

Host parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Quick, of Pamplin, commented that what both Arham and Ellie take home with them is not just a great year of learning, but also a great appreciation for how their teachers related personally to them, connecting with them as individuals.