Student Excitement and Cultural Exchange
One of the most beautiful things that happen to students when they step onto our campus is the excitement of learning about other students and their respective countries.
This occurs every semester. Students are eager to learn about different cultures and often ask others for words or expressions in their languages. Many even start learning another language due to their experiences at Cumorah Academy. Cultural nights, highlighting one country, are common and are planned and conducted by students from that country.
Growth of Cumorah Academy
As semesters come and go, more and more people are learning about Cumorah Academy. The number of students, as well as the number of nationalities, has been increasing.
One country from which many students come is Brazil. The number of Brazilian students has grown so much that almost every semester there is a Brazilian Night at Cumorah Academy. Even staff members have learned to say “obrigado” (thank you) to Brazilian students.
Alumni Reunions
We love our students, each one of them. That’s why we conduct reunions with our alumni to strengthen our connections and increase their faith. Although many of these meetings are online, we occasionally plan in-person gatherings.
Given the vast number of different countries our students come from, we choose one region for these reunions. We are proud to say that the very first reunion of Cumorah Academy alumni happened in Brazil! On July 27th, the first official reunion of Brazilian students took place in São Paulo, the largest city in South America.
The First Reunion in Brazil
Living in Campinas, nearly an hour and a half away from São Paulo, Marcos took a bus to attend the reunion. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcos is an alumnus from the Winter Semester of 2024. He and all the other students were excited about this event.
“It was amazing for my husband and me to participate in a Cumorah reunion in São Paulo. We could reconnect with some dear friends we met in the Czech Republic during our semester and learn so much from Johannes Castelhano,” says Taynara, another student from the Winter Semester 2024. “We had the chance to gain many wonderful insights and boost our confidence for the goals and plans we have for our future.”
The reunion started at 10 am at the Caxingui Institute of Religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Pedro Alves, an alumnus from the Winter Semester of 2023, conducted the reunion. He emphasized the goals of the reunion: promoting networking, strengthening the Alumni Community, and boosting professional growth by focusing on reconnecting, exchanging experiences, and learning from Johannes Castellano.
Insights and Connections
Johannes Castellano and his wife attended the entire event. With solid experience in business, leadership, and sales, Castellano, CEO of Contrate Melhor and Co-CEO of Mr. Cheney, shared his knowledge with our alumni and answered their questions concerning their future.
Russell and Samantha Ford, the Chief Communities Officers of Cumorah Academy, also attended, albeit online. They expressed their gratitude to our former students and talked about the importance of our values. Following the Fords, three students shared their testimonies of how Cumorah Academy changed their lives. Taynara and Samuel (both from the Winter Semester of 2024) and Guilherme (from the Spring Semester of 2024).
Castellano then conducted a dynamic session on teamwork and networking. His entire training focused on these important topics. “Establishing solid relationships, based more on serving than being served, will naturally open paths to incredible opportunities throughout life!” he taught. Cumorah Academy works to ensure our students achieve success, even after they leave our campus.
Q&A and Final Thoughts
After a break, there was a Q&A session with Castellano and his wife. They talked about their marriage, the challenges they faced together, and shared tips with our alumni. Pedro concluded the meeting with a few words, thanking all those who helped make the reunion happen, including Marcos Portela (tech support), Giovanna Costa (photos), Talia Machado Ribeiro (reception), Amanda Pasti (coordination), and Eduardo Felisberto (organization).
“The Cumorah Alumni Reunion was inspiring! Hearing stories from successful managers gave me great insights and a sense of connection as they shared challenges similar to mine. It reinforced the importance of networking and learning from others’ experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and for the new connections I made there,” shares Amanda, from the Spring Semester of 2024.
The days at Cumorah Academy left an indelible mark on every student. The friendships, mentorship, and unique environment created memories that will last a lifetime. While the physical distance makes it challenging to bring everyone together, the bonds formed here transcend time and space.
Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, our alumni have the opportunity to relive and rekindle the spirit of Cumorah Academy. We are always inspired by the stories of their successes and progress.
These reunions serve as a platform for alumni to share their knowledge and experiences. It ignites the passion of others with the enduring flame of Cumorah Academy. Although they may no longer be on campus, the spirit of Cumorah continues to guide them, wherever their paths may lead.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
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