Stony Plain students to visit Japan
Students with Stony Plain council
The Town of Stony Plain has approved a delegation of seven local high school students to travel to Shikaoi, Japan in July as part of the two towns’ cultural exchange program.
The Japanese Relations Committee has completed the process of selecting seven delegates who will travel to Shikaoi, Hokkaido, Japan from July 5 to 19, 2010. The delegation consists of the following high school students: Kendra Boddy, Nathan Doroshuk, Brogan Gordon, Nathan Holden, Bethany Neufeld, Carley Rawluk and Sarah Shillington.
The delegation was in council chambers on Monday, June 14, 2010 to thank council for the opportunity to participate in the exchange program.
Each student introduced himself or herself to council and provided some general information about why he or she was excited to embark on this adventure and why it was an hour to represent his or her community.
“Congratulations to each of you for being chosen for what will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you,” Ken Lemke, mayor of Stony Plain, told the delegation. “We are proud to have you as representatives of Stony Plain and know you will represent our community well, while having great fun process.”
Michael Hubick, principle of École Broxton Park School in Spruce Grove, and one member of Town administration, yet to be appointed, will accompany the students to Japan and chaperone them throughout the program.
Stony Plain and Shikaoi have been sister towns since 1985. Throughout the past 25 years, many citizens from both towns have traveled to each others’ communities. These visits have strengthened the towns’ camaraderie, nurturing the friendship that has blossomed throughout the past quarter-decade. The two communities share much in common: both are proud of their strong agricultural roots; both celebrate their culture and heritage through annual festivals and events; and both cherish their past while embracing their future.
A Stony Plain adult delegation was in Shikaoi from May 19 to 26 to celebrate the communities’ 25th anniversary of international friendship and the Japanese town’s 90th birthday bash.
The Towns of Stony Plain and Shikaoi have hosted an international exchange program for 14 years. However, the relationship between Shikaoi and Stony Plain cannot be measured in years alone. Those who have participated have gained experiences that permanently enriched their lives. As a result, each delegate returns home with new knowledge, enhanced cultural understanding, deeper maturity and lifelong friends.
In October, the Town will welcome approximately 70 Grade 10 students from Shikaoi for a 10-day stay in Stony Plain. This year, the Town will host the Alberta / Japan Twinned Municipalities Association (A/J TMA) annual conference on July 13 and 14, which will include a 20-person delegation from Shikaoi.
[Source: Town of Stony Plain]
