Manolo came to Arlington in 1995 in his Junior year and he lived with 4 host families (Hedlunds, Chases, Pattermans, & Regimbals.  When he returned to San Luis, Mexico he went to school to become an architect. 

The exchange program was a great way to learn new things and meet new people.  The friendships that are created during this time are lifelong. Manolo still has a close connection with 3-4 of the other District 5050 students and they have visited each other.  That year is life changing and stays with you for the rest of your life.

 

Manolo has stayed in touch with all of the people that hosted him and they became extended family.  Even Manolo’s parents have become friends with the host parents.  They have visited Manolo in Mexico and he has come to visit in Arlington.  Manolo brought his brother Jorge to visit and was able to bring him to see the sites and he became friends with many of the families.  One of the greatest parts of this is that the friendships have stayed strong and they have found ways to keep in touch. 

 

Manolo studied architecture and traveling became one of his favorite things to do. Traveling helps you to become aware of cultures and people, but as an architect it also allows you to see the beauty of art and different forms of architecture.  A few years ago he had the opportunity to go to Europe with a couple of friends and designed the trip to go to places where they knew people. Because of the exchange program he knew people in many different places and this allowed them to open the doors to backpack through Europe.  He lost about 10lbs from walking all over Europe. 

 

In the 60’s Manolo’s mom was also an “exchange student”.  It wasn’t a common at that time, but she found a way to come and a few years ago Manolo, his brother and mom went to Chicago to celebrate the 80^th birthday of her host mother.  Manolo loves to see the different buildings that are famous in history and demonstrate the many different building methods in the many different places. 

 

Manolo goes fishing about once a year with friends and he always tries to represent the Pacific Northwest where ever he goes.  Manolo also loves music and is a part of a band called Kracken.  They have done some Christmas shows that are concerts where they collect toys for children.  Concerts with a cause. 

 

After a few years of doing architecture, he became a teacher.  He works with a cell program group where they work in cohorts and they work together to work on projects.  Each cell has a name, Manolo’s is called synapse. As teachers they have fun and stay close, going to dinner and participating in life together.  Even though they are different ages, they agree that teaching isn’t just in the classroom.  They do many different activities and one of those is traveling.  Manolo likes to have student walks so that they see the things of the place.  They go to restaurants, art fairs, and exhibits.

 

Manolo shared photos of some of his time in Washington, both while a student and later visits.  One of his last trips was for Alex Hedlund's wedding.  Below is a photo with Alex while on the exchange (right) and at the wedding (left).

 

 

 

As with other programs, it was recorded and can be seen on our YouTube channel.  Click HERE.