Traditional Thai music filled the air as students entered the cafeteria of the Peacham School on February 18. They knelt before the non-traditional masking taped waited for Allie, the student master of ceremonies, to begin the festivities.

The ceremony began by showing appreciation to the elders. The students gave their teachers paper gifts and bowed as a sign of respect. This particular ceremony is typically practiced in Thailand on April 13 which is the Thai New Year; however, the reason for the festivities is leaving on the 19th.

Paijit Gomasatit has been with the Peacham School for two months as part of an education program that brought her to the United States. She left Peacham on February 19 and is headed to the Danville School, which is one more stop before she heads overseas back to Thailand in May. During the festival the students demonstrated parts of Thailand culture from the one they call "Weaw," or "sweet," to their families. The students said their final goodbyes and presented Weaw with a homemade card and a Peacham School Shirt, but that isn't the only thing she's taking from Vermont.

News 7's Daniel Hollis has the rest of the story.