On March 3, 2012, iEARN-USA Director Emeritus Ed Gragert and representatives of iEARN-Suriname were hosted by US Ambassador in Suriname John Nay to celebrate the YES program administered by iEARN in a number of countries. Also attending the event at the Ambassador's home in Paramaribo, Suriname was a special guest - Deputy to the US Secretary of Education Anthony Miller.

The event celebrated the successes of YES Alumni from Suriname and the newly selected Suriname YES students for the 2012-2013 program year. Upcoming YES scholars and their parents joined Alumni and iEARN-Suriname staff to share enthusiasm for the YES program.

Deputy Secretary Miller was in Suriname for the annual meeting of Minsters of Education sponsored by the Organization of American State (OAS). Joining the event were Rafael Alvarez (Dept of Education, International Affairs Office) and Osvaldo Martinez of the US Department of State). At the event, both Ambassador Nay and Deputy Secretary Miller, both having had international educational experiences in Japan, expressed their support for expanded physical and online interactions with young people in Suriname. Embassy staff expressed their appreciation to Dave Abeleven and the other members of iEARN-Suriname for their successful implementation of the YES program in Suriname.

In the photo: Ambassador Nay is back row, far left with the beard. Anthony Miller is to his left.