BRISTOL — Mount Abraham Union High School has received national recognition for excellence in global education from the student exchange program EF High School Exchange Year. Recently, Principal Andy Kepes was presented with the EF Global Education Excellence Award by Enrique Serrano, an EF High School Exchange Year student from Spain. This award is presented annually to high schools that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness.
Mount Abraham was one of a select group of high schools recognized across the United States for the 2013-2014 school year. Mount Abraham and the Sweeney family have welcomed six EF exchange students over the years, and have been instrumental in supporting a priority United States foreign policy goal of expanding communications between U.S. citizens and people from other countries. 
Presenting the award, Serrano expressed his personal thanks, as well as “a thank you for students past, and students still hoping to share this experience of a lifetime in the Mount Abraham community.” He commented that being part of the soccer, swim and track teams has given him memories for a lifetime.
“It was the most amazing year ever,” he said, “I never could have imagined getting to do all the things that I have done with my friends, and mostly with my host family, the Sweeneys. I am part of their family and that is the best thing about the year.”
In accepting the award, Kepes acknowledged the benefit that exchange students add to the community, the students and families. He said he appreciates the energy and fun that they bring to the school community and hopes that families will continue to volunteer to host students in the future.