October 15, 2025
Shoutout to the 2025 Japan Exchange Host Families!
Thirty-four Japanese delegates spent July 21 – August 16 in Kansas participating in family summer cultural experiences. The 31 youth and 3 adult chaperones are members of LABO and LEX organizations that focus on learning foreign languages and experiencing first-hand different cultures. The youth delegates, ages 12-16 were excited to come to the United States and Kansas and had a wonderful time participating in learning and sharing cultures. This year’s families included many non-4-H families.
Hat’s off to a great group of 4-H and non-4-H families that have opened their home for a culture experience!
The Kansas Families that welcomed Japanese Exchange delegates were:
Christopher and Amy Abbott, Johnson
Placidus and Ayumi Amama, Riley
Lucien and Miduelyn Amend, Bulter
Phil, Rita, Monica Baltazor, Saline
Marcus and Heather Betzold, Osborne
Lance and Lindsay Briggs, Leavenworth
Dustin and Kayla Burr, Edwards
Sam and Kelley Chance, Leavenworth
Erin Cobb, Wilson
John and Vicky Donley, Ellsworth
Jason and Heidi Fenton, Johnson
Brian and Robin Gibson, Johnson
Gunner and Lauren Graves, Harvey
Shilyn Guthrie, Leavenworth
Cody and Heather Hillis, Bourbon
Joshua and Genevieve Hagenmaier, Pottawatomie
Jacob and Alisha Hemmer, Saline
Joe and Suzanne Hokett, Saline
Daniel and Susan Johnsn, Butler
Tim and Diane Jones, Leavenworth
Charles and Mary Kendall, Saline
Adam and Aubrey Krug, McPherson
Allison Lecklider, Saline
Henry and Kate Littich, Saline
Ben and Elizabeth Meyer, Riley
Evan and Lean Olson, Pottawatomie
Dan and Regan Peterson, Saline
Adam and Amber Pracht, Saline
Dustin and Cami SanRomani, Morris
Don and Aliah Seay-Kang, Pottawatomie
Robert Sterling and Nataline Miller, Sedgwick
John and Kellie Thelander, Saline
Lynn and Twyla Underwood and Kim and Gwen Brecheisen, Franklin
Henry and Olga Velasquez, Sedgwick
Congratulations to a great group of families that have opened their homes for the memory of a lifetime!