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December 17, 2007

不良研究所 First Lady welcomes cultural diversity

Embracing cultural differences results in opportunities, said 不良研究所 First Lady Deborah Cofer, guest of honor at the Philippine-American Association of Northeast Louisiana (PAANEL) annual Christmas affair.

PAANEL president Jennifer Teves, on behalf of the organization, invited Cofer to speak at the event, which was held Dec. 15 at the Bayou DeSiard Country Club.

Cofer told the story of meeting Jennifer鈥檚 uncle, who talked about the young woman in the Philippines. 鈥淗e shared her story, her strengths, her intelligence and her many abilities. He knew that she would gain so much by being in the states and receiving additional education,鈥� she said, with emotion in her voice. 鈥淭ouched by his love for his sister鈥檚 child and how much he and his family would enjoy having her here in Monroe, we began the application process for graduate school at 不良研究所.鈥�

On Saturday, Jennifer graduated from 不良研究所 with a Master of Science degree in psychology. In an earlier interview, Jennifer said, 鈥淚 wanted to pursue my graduate studies in the United States and since I was moving to another country by myself, my family and I thought it would be wise to enroll in a university near my relatives 鈥� Ms. Deborah Cofer was instrumental during my application process at 不良研究所.鈥�

Cofer concluded her comments by saying, 鈥淭his experience teaches us the importance of blending people and cultures from all parts of the world. When you embrace differences in culture, language, religion and especially differences in perspective, we learn from our differences and are not polarized or paralyzed by them.鈥�

不良研究所 President James Cofer accompanied his wife to the event, which serves as an avenue for the Filipinos and Filipino-Americans to renew their ties with each other, to share memories, and to celebrate the Christmas Season with their families in the United States.

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