Two students Argentina-bound - Skaneateles, Cato youths had been recalled from Venezuela because of political unrest.

www.syracuse.com February 08, 2003 By Frank Brieaddy Staff writer

The two 18-year-old Central New York exchange students that Rotary International recalled a month ago from Venezuela because of political unrest are headed Monday for Argentina.

The pair, Jessica Ruhlman, of Skaneateles, and Julie Wynkoop, of Cato, were reluctant to come home and had hoped the situation in Venezuela would settle down quickly enough for them to return.

But Scott Wisner, who runs the exchange program for Rotary District 7150 in Central New York, said, "Things didn't seem to be moving anywhere positively."

He said the local Rotary already had a strong relationship with some families in Argentina.

Travel and visa arrangements were expedited to get the two students back to South America.

All students for this year's exchange have to return home by August.

Ruhlman said she was disappointed that she wouldn't be returning to her "family" in Venezuela.

"It became apparent that it would have just taken too long," she said.

Even though she's going to Argentina instead of Venezuela, Wynkoop said she'll have contact with the extended family of those who originally housed her.

They're from Argentina and have relatives there who are eager to meet Wynkoop.

Wynkoop said she also isn't ruling out a flight to Venezuela to visit friends.