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 U.S. Embassy’s annual FLEX reception has truly become one of the most exciting events for the newly-returned Georgian alumni and recent FLEX finalists. This year’s reception was generously hosted by Ambassador John Tefft. About 90 FLEX students and American Councils staff were invited to the party at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence on 17 July 2008. The event was attended by the Cynthia Whittlesey, Public Affairs Officer, Sophie Bzishvili, and Stephanie Plant, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section representatives.
 Ambassador Tefft warmly greeted his young guests as they walked in, shook hands and held brief conversations with each. Having acquainted with the FLEX students personally, Ambassador made an opening speech where he once again welcomed the FLEX and affirmed the Embassy’s support to American Councils. Afterwards, everyone was invited to the delicious buffet dinner during which the alumni had a chance to converse with the Ambassador and U.S. Embassy representatives in person once again. Zaur Phirtskhalaishvili, ’08 alumnus, for example, told Ambassador about his success when on a varsity football team at his host high school he scored two winning goals for his team.
 While the reception party progressed a short speech was made by Tamila Vatcharadze, FLEX Program Coordinator and as she thanked the U.S. Embassy for hosting, she briefly spoke about the rewarding opportunities FLEX gives its students. Subsequently, along with Eka Rostomashvili, Program Assistant they presented a poster reflecting successes and highlights of the FLEX class of 2007-2008. One by one, FLEX ’08 alumni stepped forward and told the audience about their most important experiences accomplished when in the U.S. Lilia Chikhladze, Tamta Zhorzholiani, Lia Jukharidze, and Giorgi Jashiashvili spoke about their significant academic achievements; Lela Jgerenaia and Ani Botchorishvili shared their volunteering practice; Shalva Merebashvili, Medea Beglarishvili, Sophio Asatiani, and Avtandil Koridze who were fortunate to have had a chance to meet or work with significant political figures, both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates among them, told about their remarkable experiences. To resume this part of the FLEX presentation Tamila Vatcharadze, Coordinator asked Petre Dzindzibadze to share his heroic experience when in his U.S. host community he saved a five-year old child from drowning in a river which was a real highlight and a matter of pride for American Councils for the past year.
 Additionally, Zurab Tsnobiladze and Bekar Tchapodze, two out of 50 recently-selected Georgian FLEX students had a chance to present at the reception. Zura recited the poetry they had written with a couple of other students when under the impression of the productive and enjoyable four-day Pre-Departure Orientation that American Councils arranges for the FLEX each year. The closing point, however, was made by Bekar Tchapodze who gave an amusing speech at the reception. “So what I see now is a real good beginning of something and something with the beginning like this can’t go wrong as I think,” – stated Bekar.
Thus, the annual FLEX reception hosted by the Embassy of the United States to Georgia resumed. U.S. Ambassador John Tefft thanked the future leaders for sharing their thoughts and productive experiences and the staff of American Councils thanked the Embassy representatives for hosting the event once again. Alumni said good-bye until the yet upcoming mutual activities and the recent students until the next year by when for sure they will also have gained rich experiences as successful alumni of the program. |
