A group of excited exchange students hold up signs of welcome at the Meridian regional airport Sunday. Rabea Rutz, 15, of Germany, Mia Skeie, 17, of Norway, Mauricio Martinez, 16, of Mexico, and Marc Stuwe, 17, of Norway all will attend Southeast Lauderdale High School this year. Rebea, Mia, and Marc had already been in America for a day or two when they came to airport to welcome Mauricio to Mississippi. Except for Marc, whose mother is from Minnesota, all of the students are visiting the U.S. for the first time. Their impression of Meridian so far: "It's really good," said Rebea. "Everybody is so nice!"
