‘Pi Day, AFS Style’ was held at Real Art Ways on March 14, as a way to promote cultural understanding.

Ariane from Switzerland won the ‘Looks Good/Tastes Better’ prize for her Swiss raspberry chocolate swirl pie. Submitted photo

By Ronni Newton

American Field Service (AFS) students, host families, and AFS adult returnees gathered at Real Art Ways on Pi Day – March 14 – for a fun event to promote international understanding.

The appropriate way to accomplish that on Pi Day was by the sharing of pies, as well as other desserts, representing cultures from throughout the world.

Organizer Jamie Cohen, one of the adult AFS returnees who is also hosting a student, said that the vibe in the room was “multi-lingual, hip, and sweet. Everyone stayed until the (un) bitter end.”

The goal of the event was also to try to attract new host families for AFS students.

Cohen said that there were about 50 who attended, a huge success for an inaugural event. Special guests included West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and State Rep. Derek Slap. Also in attendance were eight current AFS students, six host families, two AFS high school returnees, and adult AFS returnee Leslie Toutain.

Prizes for the best desserts were awarded to Ariane from Switzerland (Looks Good/Tastes Better award) for her Swiss raspberry chocolate swirl, and Jamie’s Japanese Mochi Mess was awarded the Looks Bad/Tastes Good award.

“We’re doing it again next school year,” Cohen said.

To learn about AFS, be a host family, or if you have a high schooler who wants to go abroad, please contact Jamie ([email protected]) or go to afsUSA.org.

Mayor Shari Cantor and State Rep. Derek Slap were special guests at Pi Day AFS Style. Submitted photo

Mayor Shari Cantor (left) with Jamie Cohen and three of the AFS students currently attending Conard High School. Submitted photo

Conard High School acting teacher Corinne Kravetz (in orange shirt) came to support the students. Submitted photo