Exchange Students Reunite 55 Years Later

This story began 55 years ago in the Spring of 1971. However, it did not end there. Some great minds had an idea for two small schools in different areas of this country to participate in a student exchange program. Thus DeWitt, Arkansas and Kiel, WIsconsin made history. Thirty students from Kiel High School spent a week in DeWitt going to school and learning about this area/state and the people. A few weeks later, thirty students from DeWitt headed north to Kiel, Wisconsin. For all, this was a life changing experience.

During the period  of the exchange, homes in Wisconsin and Arkansas were open to these strangers. For some, lifelong bonds were formed. The means of transportation in 1971 and in 2026 were quite different. Then it was a Greyhound bus. Now it was seven friends riding on motorcycles.

During the past ten years, James Phillips and Mike Herzong had talked on several occasions about getting back together in person. Their discussions increased in frequency and intensity after they learned that in 2024 James O’Neal, another member of the exchange program, had made a return visit to Kiel to visit his host family, the Heberleins. O’Neal and the Heberleins have maintained regular contact and communication for the past 50 years. This included three trips to Arkansas by Mr. and Mrs. Heberlein. These talks became reality when Mike and 6 other friends, one of whom had also been a part of the exchange program (Jeff Deehr), decided to take a motorcycle trip which included an overnight trip to DeWitt.

One June 11, Mike and his six motorcycle buddies arrived in DeWitt. They were welcomed by James Phillips, James O’Neal and Gary Hudson who had all participated in the original exchange program. WIsconsin riders who had participated in the exchange program were Mike Herzog and Jeff Deehr.

Genuine southern hospitality was shown to this group. Phillips had arranged for a van to be available so the group could reminisce and sight see together. The visitors experienced “riding around the square” once again. Herzog is involved in the agricultural industry in Wisconsin so the tour included stops at several rice mills, seeing farms, and discussing common agricultural issues. A great southern meal was enjoyed that night.

The next morning preparations were made to continue their motorcycle journey in other areas of our state. Each member of the group was presented an insulated DeWitt Dragon mug. More photos were taken. The journey continued with plans of future visits to be made and friendships for a lifetime realized and remembered.