FLEX Student of the Month – March 2015

Bermet, an ASSE-placed Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) student from Kyrgyzstan, is described by her host family and community as resourceful, helpful and courteous. Being placed in a very small town (Cass City, Michigan) was challenging, but Bermet rose to the occasion. She has taken advantage of a wide range of activities, from refining her creative talent in art class, to shadowing a police officer to learn firsthand about leadership.  

 

After finding out that the Akron Veterans’ Home needed supplies, Bermet held a fundraiser. She set up a table and collected donations at school basketball games. Then she arranged with her school’s principal to invite veterans to the final basketball game. Four veterans attended and during halftime, she presented them with homemade cookies and supplies purchased with the donations she collected.  

 

On December 1, when Bermet reached her goal of volunteering 100 hours, she stopped counting and she estimates that by now, she has completed at least 200 community service hours. She continues to volunteer at the local elementary school, assisting in the classroom, helps out at the local food pantry, nursing home, and library.

 

Bermet loves sharing the culture of Kyrgyzstan. She was interviewed on the local radio station and has given over 10 presentations to different groups. She also played her komuz, the Kyrgyz national string instrument, for the Cass City Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year dinner.

 

Bermet exemplifies the ideals of the FLEX program!

 

Congratulations, Bermet!