Turtle visit exchange students

Mark Scheer, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·1 min read

Apr. 16—A group of exchange students attending high school in Indiana got a chance this past weekend to get a closer look at the City of Niagara Falls.

The group of students, part of an organization called PAX Laurasian Exchange, included representatives from Palestine, Sardinia, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, the Czech Republic, Tajikistan, Argentina and Maldives. PAX provides global education and exchange opportunities for students, host families, schools and communities with a goal of promoting cultural exchange and experiential learning.

As part of their Falls visit, exchange students stayed at the Ambassador House and the Marshall House. The bed and breakfasts, both located on Park Place in the city, are owned by Matt and Cherrish Beals.

This year marks the third year the owners have worked with Sheri Jackson, the placement coordinator for PAX. Cherrish Beals said the trips to the Falls have included more students each time.

"The first year I could host the entire group at The Ambassador House. Last year they filled the Ambassador and Marshall House. This year they filled the Ambassador House and another Airbnb that could accommodate even more than The Marshall House," she said.

On Saturday, the foreign exchange students met at the Turtle building, formerly home to the Native American Center for the Living Arts, with members of the Native American Youth Club from Niagara Falls High School where Youth Club members discussed efforts to preserve the Rainbow Boulevard building.

Niagara Falls lawmakers in a 3-2 vote last month, rejected a request by the city's Historic Preservation Commission to designate the building as a local landmark.

Youth Club members supported the landmarking effort.