International Convention 2005 - Little Rock

2005 and Beyond: Promoting Innovative Partnerships

Having the convention in Arkansas is a real coup -
let’s support it with good attendance!

This has been a busy time in the life of Bolivian
students on the campus of the University of
Arkansas. During the past several months, students
have become better organized, they’ve come to the
end of a school year, some have graduated, and
they’ve held their own banquet celebrating both
graduates and the end of the year. These are some
of their activities:

IBO
This stands for International Bolivian Organization.
This year the students have, in addition to becoming
better organized, have also become more closely
associated with Arkansas-East Bolivia Partners. In
particular we pay tribute to Lorena Moreno, Vivian
Careaga, and Ninon Gamarra for their efforts in
drawing up lists of students on campus, along with
addresses and e-mails. They have graciously shared
their lists with us and have encouraged students to
join Partners. We certainly appreciate these efforts
and hope that future efforts will include constructing
a list of Arkansas alumni in Bolivia - another way of
keeping in touch and strengthening our ties with
Bolivia.

Asado
As per a several years’ tradition, Northwest
Partners held an “asado” for graduating Bolivian
students. This occurred on May 13 at the home of
Jo Ann and Hank Kaminsky. In years past, this
event was hosted by Phil and Mary Alice Serafini.
However, they were out of town this year attending
the graduation of their son in Wisconsin. While we
missed the Serafinis’, Hank and Jo Ann did a
magnificent job of hosting this event, ably assisted
by Fran Free and Tom Green. We had great food,
a convivial good time, and the rain even held off
until the party was over! Margaret Clark and
Thecia Taylor collaborated on presenting the
graduates with token “Bluebirds of Happiness” to
remember us by. Several parent families of
graduates were present, having traveled from
Bolivia to witness the graduation ceremonies for
their sons or daughters. They were unanimous in
their appreciation to Partners for the in-state tuition
program in effect at the University.

IBO Banquet
The graduation ceremonies were held on Saturday,
May 14 and that evening, IBO put on a banquet at
the Radisson Hotel honoring the graduates. It was
a grand affair and offered an opportunity for these
young Bolivians to don their finest duds and to
interact and mingle one last time with each other,
parents included, before many of them departed
Fayetteville, some just for the summer and many of
the graduates for good. There were more than a few
tears shed over these parting moments. Thecia
Taylor and Bob Frans were honored to be invited
to share in the festivities, we think at the instigation
of Vivian Careaga who stayed at Thecia’s house this
past semester while completing an internship in
Little Rock. (Pictures of both the asado and the
banquet can be found on the last page of this
newsletter.)