Miniature boots are big in Israel. How do I know that?

Early in our Group Study Exchange visit, we attended a speech contest sponsored by a group of Rotary Clubs in the Be’er Sheva area. Five high school students gave five-minute speeches on any topic of their choosing. The winner of that regional competition was Nir Lifsitz, an engaging teenager who told me later that he intends to visit Texas.

Nir was one of several contestants this weekend at the Rotary District 2490 Conference in Jerusalem. About 30 minutes before the start of the finals, Nir and I got reacquainted. He and a buddy — who was there to cheer Nir on — asked me for some Amarillo Chamber of Commerce lapel pins, which have the name “Amarillo” spelled out with the double Ls in the shape of boots. I gave him the pins.

Five minutes later, at 20 or 30 students — boys and girls — descended on me with outstretched hands. They, too, wanted pins. I handed them out like, well, candy. It was as if the kids had materialized out of thin air.

The seemed seemed truly delighted to get the pins.

Score one for the Chamber of Commerce. Its signature emblem has spread to the Middle East.

How did Nir fare at the conference speech contest finals? He finished fourth, but said afterward that only a few points separated him from the first-place finisher.

But I was pulling for Nir, along with the rest of his cheering section — many of whom I hope are now wearing their Amarillo “boot pins” proudly.