FORT WORTH, TX – Students selected to visit Fort Worth’s Sister Cities in 2017
Nearly 100 Fort Worth students recently completed a vigorous selection process and have been selected to represent the City of Fort Worth as Ambassadors to several of Fort Worth’s international partners.
Youth Ambassador exchanges provide a global education for students giving them the opportunity to explore history and experience languages, culture, and arts of the country they visit. Students live with host families to develop an understanding of the culture and its traditions during exchanges that range from 9 to 14 days.
This year’s Ambassadors represent the Fort Worth ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Everman ISD, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Keller ISD, and several private schools. Scholarship assistance of over $100,000 is awarded annually ensuring a diverse group of students and teachers who will represent Fort Worth.
The selection process includes written essays, teacher recommendations, report cards, and in-person interviews conducted by the teachers who lead the delegations abroad.
On exchanges students develop relationships with students from other countries and gain essential skills to be successful in a global society. “Selection of Youth Ambassadors is a very competitive process and we feel we have an outstanding class to represent Fort Worth and the U.S.A. this year,” said Dr. Staussa Ervin, Chair of the Exchanges and Outreach committee of Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
The exchanges are scheduled for March, June, and July to Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. A complete list of Youth Ambassadors can be found at https://www.fwsistercities.org/fort-worth-youth-ambassadors-2017/.
Congratulations to all the Youth Ambassadors who will embark on life-changing programs in 2017.
The Fort Worth community is invited to a presentation sponsored by Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Tarrant County College on Indonesia Today, November 10, 6:00 p.m. at Tarrant County College, Trinity River East Campus. The event is open to the public.
Twelve delegation leaders from area schools and organizations were recently selected to lead youth exchanges to six of Fort Worth’s sister cities next year. Nearly 125 local students will be interviewed for approximately 80 available slots to travel as Youth Ambassadors.
If you saw crazy costumes over the weekend in downtown Fort Worth, they were teams in the 3rd Annual Amazingly Global Race chaired by Carolann Morris, Inwood Bank, benefitting Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
“It’s so good to see how creative people can be in order to support our international efforts. Forming international relationships, fostering new business connections, and promoting tourism and cultural understanding are vital to seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in this global era,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
“The Race is held annually to fund the international youth education programs of Sister Cities that give students leadership and communications skills preparing them for a global society,” said Mae Ferguson, President/CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
The 2016 Ambassador Middle Schools include McLean Middle, Leonard Middle, and Fort Worth Country Day School. These schools are hosting 36 students and teachers from Nagaoka, Japan October 15–23 for this annual international youth exchange program.
The goal of the Ambassador Middle School program is to prepare Fort Worth students giving them the leadership skills needed to succeed in today’s connected world. At the same time, educators are given creative teaching tools and exposure to international cultures and educational systems of other countries.
“Sister Cities works closely with the Fort Worth ISD and local private schools to give Fort Worth students the best opportunity possible to be successful in a global society,” said Johnny Campbell, Chairman of the board. 
The Japanese students will attend classes, participate in cultural activities and live with Fort Worth families from the participating schools while in Fort Worth gaining an even better understanding of Fort Worth and the U.S.A.
Newly elected officers at Fort Worth Sister Cities International’s 31st Annual Meeting, are Board Chair, Johnny Campbell, Sundance Square; Chair-elect, Veronica Chavez Law, Brackett & Ellis, LLP; Secretary, Lu Pham, Dowell Pham Harrison LLP; and Treasurer, Walter Stucker, UBS Financial Services. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price serves as Honorary Chair.
Kids Who Care was awarded the Eisenhower Award for Organizational Involvement presented by Mark Nurdin, Bank of Texas and last year’s recipient, and Julie Johncox was awarded the prestigious Bob Bolen Award for Outstanding Board Leadership presented by last year’s recipient Ann Rice.
“The annual meeting is a time to review accomplishments and recognize those responsible for our successes,” said Michael Bennett, Bennett Benner Partners, outgoing Chairman of the Board. A few of the year’s accomplishments were highlighted by President and CEO Mae Ferguson who said, “This year we sent delegations to Japan, China, Cuba, and Mexico. We coordinated youth exchanges to seven cities for over 100 students and welcomed 165 students and educators to Fort Worth creating a $14 million economic impact on the city of Fort Worth.”
Fort Worth Sister Cities International is conducting its first community class on why protocol is necessary in today’s world for both business and leisure travel. The class will take place Sept. 29, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass 3rd floor conference room located at One Museum Way: 3100 W. 7th Street Suite 310, Fort Worth, TX. A nominal fee of $35 includes lecture, class materials, certificate of Citizen Diplomacy, and light snack. For tickets visit the Sister Cities website at fwsistercities.org/event/protocol-101.
Led by Susan Turner, Senior Protocol Officer at Lockheed Martin, Protocol 101 will give attendees traveling for business or pleasure the tools they need to be good citizen diplomats representing Fort Worth, Texas and the U.S.A. In a humorous, rapid fire presentation, Turner will discuss ways to capitalize on your experience.
“Today, business decisions come down to more than dollars and cents, tax incentives, and the bottom line. How people feel about the community, its leadership, its civic spirit, and its culture matter just as much, if not more,” says Mae Ferguson, President/CEO and Protocol Officer of Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Ferguson also says, “Leisure travelers can receive more meaningful experiences with training to either gain new perspectives or by learning to invest in the people of the places they visit.”
Sister city partnerships have long been praised for their cultural benefit, but a new study suggests that citizen diplomacy and the exchange it fosters can mean real money for cities and their partners.
Since 1990, The Harashin Co. of Nagaoka, Japan has funded scholarships for eight Fort Worth students and two teachers to travel there for an educational and cultural enrichment exchange. In return, the families of these Fort Worth students host students and teachers from Nagaoka in their homes for a reciprocal exchange.
All student applicants (9th-11th grades) participate in a vigorous selection process including teacher recommendations, essays and personal interviews. The Harashin Scholars are required to attend monthly cultural orientations to further enrich their international experience and prepare them for the exchange.