The Light - An Alumni Publication Summer 2015

FACES OF YFU From left to right: Jones and Demorest in 2011; The “Five American Girls” on a train to Bolivia, 1977; Jones’ Brazilian host sister Vaude and Jones dancing Samba. KATIE DEMOREST PROGRAM: Brazil, 1977 OCCUPATION: Business Development Manager HOME: Phoenix, AZ KATHIE JONES PROGRAM: Brazil, 1977 OCCUPATION: Field Director, YFU USA HOME: Lakewood, CA FIVE AMERICAN GIRLS It’s a friendship that began in Brazil in 1977… Dubbed the “Five American Girls”, Patty, Nancy, Gay, Kathie, and Katie spent the summer getting to know Brazilian culture through Youth For Understanding. Two of the girls, Kathie Jones (Troutman) and Katie Demorest (Barbee), ended up with a lifelong friendship. Upon returning to the U.S., the girls went their separate ways – finishing high school and heading to college – and despite vows to stay in touch, life took over and they lost track of each other. Married names made the search more difficult, but in 2010 Jones and Demorest found each other again on Facebook. Since then, they’ve made a habit of getting together each year and have promised to stay friends forever! The YFU experience was formative for both Jones and Demorest, an experience that still dominates their conversations today. Their exchange was so powerful both have chosen to remain involved with YFU - Jones as a Field Director for the Southwest field and Demorest as an alumni organizer in Phoenix. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the other girls from the summer of ’77, please let us know by joining the YFU USA National Alumni Facebook group to reconnect! ■ YFU • The Light | 19

The Light - An Alumni Publication Summer 2015 | Page 19