Nine students from Concepcion, Chile, arrived in Dayton Saturday, September 12, as part of an ongoing exchange with MVS’ sister school Thomas Jefferson. Our visitors are spending 7 school days attending MVS classes and sharing their culture through presentations and performances. During their visit, Chilean students are staying with MVS families to fully immerse themselves in American culture.
This partnership forged between Rector Gregory Trzebiatowski at Thomas Jefferson and former Headmaster Peter Benedict is true to the global outlook that both schools embrace. Thomas Jefferson School’s mission is “To form bilingual leaders who have the self-confidence and training to successfully overcome the challenges of a global world…” In support of this mission each year a group of sophomores from Thomas Jefferson travel to MVS. High School Director Gustavo Sepuleveda has visited MVS four times accompanying groups of students. “I love this community,” Sepuleveda says. “I always feel like I am home because people are so friendly. You can see in their faces that they are happy to be here.”
Middle school teacher Yolanda Lyon visited Thomas Jefferson in 2010 and again in 2012 with a group of MVS students. She and her family have hosted visitors each time students have come to MVS. “It’s been a great experience as a visitor and a host,” says Lyon. “Before you know it these kids have developed friendships and continue to maintain them with the help of social media.”
Like MVS, Thomas Jefferson is a private, independent institution that serves around 600 students, preschool through high school. Thomas Jefferson is a bilingual school teaching students in both English and Spanish.