Category: Student Delegations

2018-07-27 09:07

Students Bring Home Gold and Bronze Medals From Italy

Fort Worth, TX – Sister Cities youth athletes represent Fort Worth and the USA!

Nearly 80 student athletes and coaches just returned from a week of competition at the Tricolore Youth Sports Games in Reggio Emilia, Italy winning three gold and one bronze medal in baseball and volleyball.

The athletes and coaches will be recognized at the Fort Worth City Council meeting Aug. 14 at 7:00 pm to report on the games and display the medals they won.

The Sports Ambassadors competed and lived in an Olympic-style village with student athletes from thirty other countries representing Fort Worth and the USA through positive sportsmanship and goodwill. The games created a chance for these athletes to convey a positive impression of American youth to other people from around the world.

“The programs sponsored by Sister Cities have a broad appeal offering international experiences you can’t get as casual tourists,” said Sister Cities Sports Games Chair Michael Jacobsson. “The student athletes will remember this trip for the rest of their lives.”

The Tricolore Games are held every four years in Reggio Emilia, Italy and Fort Worth is the only city in the US invited to participate.

2018-07-27 08:59

Youth Ambassadors Represent Fort Worth in Japan

Fort Worth, TX – Sister Cities provides unique opportunity for students

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 experience. In return, the families of these Fort Worth students host students and teachers from Nagaoka in their homes.

This program and all the scholarships have been funded by the Hara family and Harashin Co. Ltd. of Nagaoka. For 27 years, it is estimated that over $2 million has been generously donated benefiting Fort Worth families.

Fort Worth Harashin scholars include Rebecca Cichock, Samantha Cruz, William Dibble, Priscilla Gutierrez, Imani Kayembe, Katey Parham, Emily Pruitt, and Brigit Teschendorf; and will be led by Delegation Leaders Dawnelle Butler and Nicole Vallee.

“Exchange programs are a key element in the overall programs of Fort Worth Sister Cities and this unique opportunity for students is no exception,” said Johnny Campbell, Chairman of Fort Worth Sister Cities International. The students depart July 27 for a week-long exchange and the Japanese students will be in Fort Worth August 9-17.

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.

Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities provide youth the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family and experience their history, culture and customs. These students become citizen diplomats through this program. It gives them a better understanding of other cultures providing them an international education only these programs can offer.

2018-06-27 10:44

International Students Attend Leadership Academies

Fort Worth, TX: Meet the World in Fort Worth, Theme of Academies

High school students from around the world will descend on Fort Worth starting July 12. Students from eSwatini, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Mexico, along with Fort Worth students, will be in Fort Worth for the 29th International Leadership Academy (ILA). The Academy’s goal is to increase communication and leadership skills through teambuilding and problem-solving using diplomacy.

Since 1989, the ILA has brought young people from Fort Worth’s eight sister cities to the area to discuss pressing global issues. This year, nearly 90 participants will converge at Texas Christian University (TCU) July 12 – 26 to share their cultures and learn about citizen diplomacy and its importance.

Participants will live on the TCU campus and share a room with students from another country. They will attend classes that are designed to challenge stereotypes, highlight cultures, promote diplomatic dialogue, develop leadership skills, and solve global problems. Activities will also include visits to area businesses, museums, and other cultural venues specific to Fort Worth, as well as a community service project.

This year marks the 14th year of ILA’s middle school program, the Jr. International Leadership Academy (JILA) held July 9 – 13. College students from Toluca, Mexico will serve as facilitators for Fort Worth students who will discuss the same issues as their high school counterparts, gaining international perspectives.

“The students will be challenged to improve and refine their leadership skills and learn how diverse cultures can support common goals. It’s a tremendous opportunity for personal growth,” said Nancy Marchant, ILA and JILA Coordinator.

The closing ceremony for ILA will take place July 25, 6:30 p.m. at TCU’s BLUU Ballroom and is free and open to the public. For more info call 817/632-7100.

2018-06-26 01:26

Fort Worth Representing USA at Italian Sports Games

Fort Worth, TX – Sister Cities fields youth sports teams

Fort Worth is sending nearly 100 student athletes and coaches to the sixth edition of the Tricolore Youth Sports Games in Italy next week July 5 – 14, 2018.

The games create an opportunity for young people to convey a positive impression of American youth to over 3,000 athletes from around the world who will be participating in the event.

“Living with and competing against these young athletes, our students will undoubtedly learn that they have much more in common with them than what separates them,” said Michael Jacobsson, Fort Worth Tricolore Chair. “These are the types of experiences that help kids shape their understanding and acceptance of people from other cultures and it’s a lot of fun, too!”

The athletes and coaches will compete and live in an Olympic-style village with student athletes from other countries, as well as represent Fort Worth and the U.S.A. through positive sportsmanship and goodwill.

“The Games offer an international experience these kids will remember the rest of their lives. Bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals will be a highlight of their athletic careers,” said Matt Graves, Tricolore Vice Chair.

The Tricolore Games are held every four years in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Fort Worth’s sister city for thirty-three years, and Fort Worth will be the sole representative of the U.S.A. Teams participating are girls volleyball, swimming, and four boys baseball teams.

2018-05-31 10:53

Youth Represent Fort Worth in France, Japan, Swaziland

FORT WORTH, TX – Youth Ambassadors travel to three sister cities

Forty-six students and leaders are visiting three of Fort Worth’s sister cities this month including Nîmes, France; Nagaoka, Japan; and Mbabane, Swaziland.

These Youth Ambassadors of Fort Worth benefit from a global education. In addition to learning leadership skills and participating in cultural exchange, they also receive training to become citizen diplomats representing the U.S., Texas, and Fort Worth which enhances their college and career opportunities.

“Today’s growing global community is making more of a footprint in young people’s lives, making cultural understanding and exchange a pivotal part of a student’s education. Our student-centered program ensures students develop the skills necessary for them to pursue their own goals and become globally-minded leaders in their communities,” said Johnny Campbell, Chairman of the Board of Sister Cities.

Educators from the FWISD, private schools, and universities will lead the delegations including:

Nîmes, France: Jay Kurima, Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences and Marvin Vann Griffith, World Languages Institute, as well as Associate Delegation Leaders Stephanie Atkinson and Michelle Chuah

Nagaoka, Japan: James Gleaton, Tarrant County College and Courtney Smith, Como Montessori, as well as Associate Delegation Leaders Sienna Andrade, University of Texas at Arlington and Rubi Roy, Tarrant County College

Mbabane, Swaziland: Kimberly Tezak-Daus, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, as well as Associate Delegation Leaders Madeline Hale, University of Texas at Dallas and Jailine Garcia, Tarrant County College