Exchange student returns to Tiffin 40 years after graduation
By Jill Gosche, jgosche@advertiser-tribune.comArticle Photos
When Vilay Chaleunrath returned to Tiffin 20 years ago for his 20th class reunion, he intended to make a surprise visit to see David Noss.
But Noss was gone, helping his son, Rick, move to Columbus.
"It didn't work," Noss said.
No surprises this time around.
This year, Chaleunrath, who stayed in the Noss home as an exchange student from Laos 40 years ago, told Noss he was coming.
Chaleunrath and Chanhmaly, his wife of about 10 years, arrived in Tiffin around 8 p.m. Friday in advance of Chaleunrath's 40th class reunion Saturday evening. Chaleunrath, who's from Alexandria, Va., said he returned for the reunion because he wanted to see "Dad," old friends and Rick, Noss' son and his classmate.
"I want to make sure this time (I see him). That's why I call him," he said. "I still have a lot of good memory of Tiffin."
This marks Chanhmaly's first time in Tiffin.
"Very excited to see Dad," she said.
Chaleunrath serves as the director of the Newcomer Community Service Center in Washington, D.C. In 1995, Washingtonian Magazine named him a "Washingtonian of the Year," and in 1996, he carried the Olympic torch on its trek to Atlanta.
His professional preparation started more than 40 years ago.
In 1966, Chaleunrath came from Laos for a stay in the Noss home through AFS - American Field Service - Intercultural Programs and enrolled at Columbian High School. Noss' son, Rick, was Chaleunrath's classmate.
Noss said very few students participated in the AFS program for more than a year, but Chaleunrath was in Tiffin for two school years, 1966-67 and 1967-68. He said Chaleunrath's home country of Laos did not have English instruction, so he stayed for the two years.
"Actually, he picked up English pretty fast (here)," he said.
Chaleunrath recalled flying into San Francisco and staying at Stanford University for several nights.
He rode on a bus to St. Louis and then stayed in New York for two nights. From there, he flew to Cleveland, where he met the Noss family.
"I remember that you didn't like riding in a car for a long time, especially on a road that goes like this," Noss said, moving his arm up and down. "Southeast Asians are not used to such great distances, sitting in a bus for hours and hours and hours."
Chaleunrath said he arrived to Tiffin in the summer.
"I really enjoy seeing a lot of good view, good scenery," he said.
Chaleunrath said he participated in the high school science fair and enjoyed attending sporting events.
"I remember it was a neat school, not too crowded," he said. "I was in the chorus there. ... I also participated in track, so running."
Chaleunrath returned to Laos and served as a teachers aide after his high school graduation in 1968. He received a scholarship to attend the University of Hawaii and later went back to Laos. But, Noss said, he fell under suspicion because of his American education.
Noss said Chaleunrath got married and fled across a river into Thailand, where he spent time in a refugee camp.
He said it took a lot of effort by several people to get him out of the camp and come to the United States in the 1970s. His wife, who never had been out of her home country, was wearing flip flops after it had snowed when they arrived in the United States, he said.
"They stayed with us for a while," Noss said.
Chaleunrath moved to Washington, D.C., in 1978 and eventually became the director of the Newcomer Community Service Center.
Chaleunrath said the center, in its 30th year, expanded from its Asian focus in the mid 1980s and now is seeing more Africans. Its Web site states two offices assist about 4,000 refugees and immigrants representing more than 50 countries each year.
The director said he enjoys his job because he is helping people who come to the U.S.
"We provide services like English as second language classes ... immigration services, helping people get their permanent resident status," he said.
On the Web:
AFS:
Newcomer Community Service Center:
