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ASSIST Interviews and Evening with the Alumni
01/28/2019
On January 19-20 Lithuanian high school students applying for ASSIST scholarships at the private boarding schools in the US were interviewed at the Kazickas Family Residence in Vilnius. It has also become a tradition that Kazickas family members invite ASSIST team, programs alumni and families of students currently studying in the US to the Kazickas family residence in Vilnius to socialize and share the experiences.
This year applications came from students not just from the major cities of Lithuania, such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevezys or Marijampole, but also from more remote areas, such as Kelme, Utena, Anyksciai or Pasvalys. Students were interviewed by the ASSIST board members from USA Joe Gould, Woody Rutter and one of the very first Lithuanian ASSIST'93 scholars Aukse Jurkute. The Kazickas Family Foundation treasurer John Kazickas who is currently also the ASSIST board member participated at the interview process as well. ASSIST members were impressed by such bright, resourceful and talented candidates. Selected candidates' cases were handed over to the ASSIST headquarters in Connecticut, US. Scholarship recipients will be announced in March.
That evening more than 30 ASSIST alumni, few students' families and Kazickas Family Foundation's representatives gathered at the Kazickas family residence to chat and share some experiences. John Kazickas opened the evening welcoming all, then Woody Rutter read ASSIST president Bob Stanley's letter congratulating everyone on ASSIST 50th anniversary. Joe Gould shared some excerpts from the ASSIST students who are currently studying in the US letters talking about their experiences, joys and challenges. KFF NY office director Neila Baumiliene talked about main foundation's areas of focus and mentioned few programs that could benefit greatly from ASSIST alumni support. Such programs as "Youth Can" and "Bring Together Lithuania" cover different areas of skills and experiences of diverse specialists, so many can contribute to help and guide Lithuania's youth. Foundation is thankful to current ASSIST student Jokubas Daunoras' family and ASSIST alumna Marta Misiulaityte for their offers to contribute to the foundations work. During the evening ASSIST alumni shared their stories after ASSIST experience, their career paths and future plans. It was exciting to hear many success stories of deciding to settle and build lives in Lithuania after gaining amazing experiences in the US. Opportunity to meet in Berlin for the ASSIST 50th anniversary celebration on June 1st was discussed.
All guests had an opportunity to learn more about Dr. Jospeh P. Kazickas life by viewing the posters from the exhibit covering his life story.
Big Thank You goes out to ASSIST alumna Zivile Lazauskiene for all her help ant time organizing the interview process and beautiful gathering at the Kazickas family residence.
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