More than 40 international students converged on Luverne over the weekend for the 12th annual International Student Exchange Thursday through Sunday. Above, one group of students finishes up a tour of the Hinkly House Friday morning with Sister Mariella Hinkly, Luverne (back, far right).
Students pictured are (front, from left) Thiago Fernandos, Brazil; Silvia Fernandez, Spain; Catalina Andrade, Colombia (in sunglasses); Tacyana Benites, Brazil; Rebecca Birrer, Switzerland (in white jacket); Fernanda Nasser, Brazil; Anett Vamos, Hungary; Gustavo Cruz, Brazil; (back, from left) Ann Marie Goh, Thailand (in white); Mar”a-JosŽ Vera, Mexico (with one elbow on lion); Michael Kreiner, Austria (in far back); Mayu Koyanagi, Japan; Ema Stefanova, Macedonia; Ann Scheib, Germany; Anke Borchert, Germany; Tine Leinberger, Germany; Emilie Laarman, France (far back); Juliana Morotelli, Brazil; and Eugenia Logoda, Belarus.
Local families hosted the students for the event, cosponsored by the Luverne Rotary Club and AFS. The also toured the courthouse, Rock County Museum, Carnegie Cultural Center, EROS Data Center, Minnesota Visitors Center, Brandenburg Gallery, Prairie Heights Bison and the Pipestone National Monument. Students attended a football game and dance on Friday night and a hayride and bonfire on Saturday. On Sunday they returned to their respective host families located throughout the tri-state area.