| Published September 17, 2008 | Peter Varellas Visits Camino Pablo School | By Sophie Braccini | ![](../issue0214/images/0214-03801.jpg) | Peter Varellas talks to Mrs. Laughland's class Photo Neil Jennings | On Friday the 12th, Peter Varellas, a member of the Silver medal-winning US Men's Water Polo
team, paid a visit to his 2nd grade teacher Katie Laughland at Camino Pablo Elementary School in
Moraga. "He was in the first class that I ever had," said Laughland, still a 2nd grade teacher.. "He
was a great kid, liked by everybody, always very happy, and I taught his sister, too." Laughland
followed the success of her ex-student in the Olympics and called his parents' house. The young
man called back, and he and his sister came to school. "He was very gracious, very poised," said the
delighted teacher, "he talked to the kids about setting goals and getting there step by step and the
kids got it!" Laughland was impressed with how well he worked with the kids, and interacted with
everyone.
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