Local family flies exchange student's family in for Easter

Clockwise from bottom center are exchange student Julio Cesar Cortez Gamez, his mother, Lidia Guadalupe Gamez Meza, sister Lidia Juliana Cortez Gamez, father Julio Cesar Cortez Moreno, host father Brian Berhorst and host mother Julie Berhorst.
Clockwise from bottom center are exchange student Julio Cesar Cortez Gamez, his mother, Lidia Guadalupe Gamez Meza, sister Lidia Juliana Cortez Gamez, father Julio Cesar Cortez Moreno, host father Brian Berhorst and host mother Julie Berhorst.

The last time Julio Cortez's family came to visit him in Jefferson City, they traveled two days by train.

This week, the exchange student's family arrived by plane, thanks to the generosity of the Berhorsts, his host family.

"Last time they were traveling, I'd ask Julio where they were, and all he would say is Texas, Texas, Texas. It took them forever just to come through Texas. That's just too much," said Brian Berhorst, Julio's host "dad."

Berhorst decided to fly the family from their hometown of Hermosillo in northern Mexico to Columbia, so they could fully enjoy their week-long visit, which ends Tuesday.

Their son Julio is spending his junior year at Helias as part of an exchange program.