A local college professor says it is difficult being away from friends and family in France in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.
Mireille LeBreton, a professor of French Literature at Nazareth College, says all of her loved ones are safe.
"If they are maybe cautious as to meeting in public places and being in places where a lot of people are gathered together, they are not scared. The schools and restaurants are open. I think life is coming back (to normal) and they don't want to be scared."
LeBreton is participating in an event this evening on the RIT campus to honor the memories of the victims of Friday's attack. She said they will play music, read poetry and literary text to use art as a weapon against terrorism. Le Breton said Paris is mourning, but her spirit was raised by an outburst of solidarity worldwide.
For two dozen high school students in West Irondequoit, the terrorist attacks have resulted in the cancelation of a long-awaited trip to France.
District superintendent Jeff Crane said the students and teachers were scheduled to leave Rochester this coming Thursday to visit with students and their families in Quimper, a city about seven hours west of Paris.
But the trip had to be called off when they learned about the Friday night attacks.
"We feel fortunate that they were not in transit or there at this time, that's for sure,” Crane said.
“We feel terribly for all of our friends in France, but out of respect, we felt that this was something we had to do with the cancelation of the trip and our friends there know we are supportive from afar."
Crane said the owners of I-Square will be hosting a special multi-course French dinner Saturday for the West Irondequoit students who were supposed to be on the trip.
"And I think it's going to be a great thing for our kids and our teachers who are certainly disappointed in missing the trip but also so worried and concerned about their friends in France going through this horrific event."
