Category: Professional Development
All Saints Episcopal School Hosts Students from Toluca, Mexico
Mexican Sister City sending students to Fort Worth
Ten high school students from Toluca, Mexico’s Tec de Monterrey Multicultural Program will spend two weeks in Fort Worth hosted by All Saints Episcopal High School March 18-29. All Saints is one of several Ambassador Schools hosting student delegations from Fort Worth’s Sister Cities this year. The Toluca students will be immersed in a two-week program of academics and cultural immersion that will include classes in environmental science and world cultures, along with community service projects and tours of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Stockyards, Cowboys Stadium, Amon Carter Museum, Kimbell Art Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History. The Toluca students must complete an international exchange as part of their graduation credits and chose to visit Fort Worth. The goal of the exchange is to provide an international experience for the students that will inspire global understanding, as well as, an opportunity to share their cultural heritage and traditions with the student body at All Saints. The experience will also provide opportunities for the Toluca students to learn about the U.S. educational system and develop new friendships through a home hosted experience with Fort Worth families. Sister Cities will facilitate this exchange through its Ambassador School Program conducted with various high schools for a 2 to 3 week period. The participating Fort Worth schools support the requirements of the students through academic, entrepreneurial and institutional visits.Calling High School Students for International Leadership Academy
Fort Worth, Texas- Applications due February 25th
This year’s International Leadership Academy (ILA), themed “The World in HD”, will be held on the TCU campus July 13-28. High school students (grades 9-12) are invited to attend. Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 25th and can be downloaded on the Fort Worth Sister Cities website at ILA.
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 and develop leadership skills. Activities will also include field trips to local museums, the Fort Worth Stockyards and a community service project.
This unique youth leadership program promotes global understanding by building friendships and creating awareness of international issues. Since 1989, this award-winning program has brought young people from Fort Worth’s eight sister cities to the area for leadership training.
Middle school students are invited to attend the Jr. International Leadership Academy July 8-12. Applications are also available online and will be accepted through April 23. Last year’s JILA included students from Iraq, sharing their cultures.
A full description of ILA, along with application information, is available at ILA.
For more information, individuals should contact Irene Chase, vice president at (817) 632-7101 or irene@fwsistercities.org.
Local Students to Serve as Fort Worth Ambassadors
Fort Worth, Texas – Students selected to visit 7 Sister Cities
74 students recently completed a vigorous selection process and have been invited to represent the City of Fort Worth as Ambassadors to seven of eight of Fort Worth’s sister cities.
Youth Ambassador exchanges open the door to the future for students giving them the opportunity to explore history and experience languages, food, culture and arts of the country they visit. Students live with host families to fully appreciate and develop an understanding of the culture and its traditions. Exchanges range from 9 to 15 days.
The selection process includes written essays, teacher recommendations, report cards and in-person interviews conducted by the teachers who lead the delegations abroad. Students make friends around the world while developing essential skills to be successful in a global society. “We had nearly 80 students apply this year for international exchanges. It is a very competitive process and we feel we have an outstanding class to represent Fort Worth abroad next year,” said Eva Bonilla, Chair of the Programs and Exchanges committee of Fort Worth Sister Cities.
The 2013 exchanges are scheduled for March and June to Reggio Emilia & Florence Italy; Budapest, Hungary & Vienna, Austria; Trier, Cologne & Frankfurt, Germany; Nagaoka & Tokyo, Japan; and Mbabane, Swaziland & Johannesburg, South Africa. A group will also travel to Guiyang, Beijing and Xian, China in July.
This year’s Ambassadors represent students from FWISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, and several private schools. Scholarship assistance of nearly $85,000 is awarded annually insuring a diverse group of students representing Fort Worth.
Educators Selected as International Academic Chairs
Fort Worth, TX—Sister Cities Partners with Area Schools on Global Fluency
Fort Worth Sister Cities welcomed and recognized the newly appointed International Academic Ambassador Chairs (IAAC) recently at a reception held in the Botanic Gardens. These educators are selected by the principals in their schools to serve in this capacity for one academic year.
The specific goal of an IAAC is to create and promote awareness of international educational opportunities for Fort Worth youth and educators. The group is comprised of teachers from each middle and high school both public and private. The 2012/13 Class consists of:
| James Aldridge, Fort Worth Country Day | Jay Kurima, TX Academy of Biomedical Science |
| Dustin Alexander -Trimble Tech High School | Kelly LaFarge, International Newcomer Acad |
| Sefakor Amaa, Arlington Heights High School | Krystofer Lang, Western Hills High School |
| Erin Blythe, TX Academy of Biomedical Science | Jean-Marc Montagnon, Benbrook MS |
| Tonia Butler, Trimble Tech High School | Marcia Morgan, R.L. Paschal High School |
| Josue Cardenas, Polytechnical High School | Jaime Morris, W.P. McLean Middle School |
| Alexandra Checka, Applied Learning Academy | Marie Morris, Riverside Middle School |
| Heath Dollar, Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD | Julie Mullender, Como Montessori MS |
| Carrie Driscoll, Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School | Linda Peters, Morningside Middle School |
| Tara Forrest, Fort Worth Country Day School | Gina Powell, Young Men’s Leadership Acad. |
| John Foster, William Monnig Middle School | Janet Reynolds, Leonard Middle School |
| Kris Franks, Chisholm Trail High School | Christopher Reynolds, Young Women’s |
| Kristen Gabehart, Dunbar Middle School | Leadership Academy |
| Cynthia Gonzalez, Meadowbrook Middle Sch. | Kelly Richey, North Side High School |
| Kay Gray, Wedgwood 6th Grade School | Dr. Michael Roemer, Trinity Valley School |
| Bridget Guccione, Nolan Catholic High School | Denise Rosas, McLean 6th Grade School |
| Maurice Hawthorne, O.D. Wyatt High School | Gladys Scott, Wedgwood Middle School |
| Evelyn V. Hayden, Southwest High School | Lauren Simenauer, J.P. Elder Middle School |
| Rachel Henderson Cook, Jean McClung MS | Juan Soto, Western Hills High School |
| Chandra Hough, Fort Worth Academy | Konstantin Stakhovich, South Hills High School |
| Isolina Howard, International Newcomer Acad | Matthew Stroup, R.L. Paschal High School |
| Tiffany Johnston, W.C. Stripling Middle School | Gabriel Valdez, Rosemont 6th Grade School |
| Anna King – Boswell High School | Priscilla Williams, Rosemont Middle School |
| Angela Kornman, All Saints Episcopal School | Michele Wright, Carter-Riverside High School |
| Lori Zarate, Daggett Montessori Middle School | |
2012-10-05 10:55
Educators Selected as International Academic Chairs
Fort Worth, TX—Sister Cities Partners with Area Schools on Global Fluency Fort Worth Sister Cities welcomed and recognized the newly appointed International Academic Ambassador Chairs (IAAC) recently at a reception held in the Botanic Gardens. These educators are selected by the principals in their schools to serve in this capacity for one academic year. The specific goal of an IAAC is to create and promote awareness of international educational opportunities for Fort Worth youth and educators. The group is comprised of teachers from each middle and high school both public and private. The 2012/13 Class consists of:
| James Aldridge, Fort Worth Country Day | Jay Kurima, TX Academy of Biomedical Science |
| Dustin Alexander -Trimble Tech High School | Kelly LaFarge, International Newcomer Acad |
| Sefakor Amaa, Arlington Heights High School | Krystofer Lang, Western Hills High School |
| Erin Blythe, TX Academy of Biomedical Science | Jean-Marc Montagnon, Benbrook MS |
| Tonia Butler, Trimble Tech High School | Marcia Morgan, R.L. Paschal High School |
| Josue Cardenas, Polytechnical High School | Jaime Morris, W.P. McLean Middle School |
| Alexandra Checka, Applied Learning Academy | Marie Morris, Riverside Middle School |
| Heath Dollar, Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD | Julie Mullender, Como Montessori MS |
| Carrie Driscoll, Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School | Linda Peters, Morningside Middle School |
| Tara Forrest, Fort Worth Country Day School | Gina Powell, Young Men’s Leadership Acad. |
| John Foster, William Monnig Middle School | Janet Reynolds, Leonard Middle School |
| Kris Franks, Chisholm Trail High School | Christopher Reynolds, Young Women’s |
| Kristen Gabehart, Dunbar Middle School | Leadership Academy |
| Cynthia Gonzalez, Meadowbrook Middle Sch. | Kelly Richey, North Side High School |
| Kay Gray, Wedgwood 6th Grade School | Dr. Michael Roemer, Trinity Valley School |
| Bridget Guccione, Nolan Catholic High School | Denise Rosas, McLean 6th Grade School |
| Maurice Hawthorne, O.D. Wyatt High School | Gladys Scott, Wedgwood Middle School |
| Evelyn V. Hayden, Southwest High School | Lauren Simenauer, J.P. Elder Middle School |
| Rachel Henderson Cook, Jean McClung MS | Juan Soto, Western Hills High School |
| Chandra Hough, Fort Worth Academy | Konstantin Stakhovich, South Hills High School |
| Isolina Howard, International Newcomer Acad | Matthew Stroup, R.L. Paschal High School |
| Tiffany Johnston, W.C. Stripling Middle School | Gabriel Valdez, Rosemont 6th Grade School |
| Anna King – Boswell High School | Priscilla Williams, Rosemont Middle School |
| Angela Kornman, All Saints Episcopal School | Michele Wright, Carter-Riverside High School |
| Lori Zarate, Daggett Montessori Middle School | |
Generation Hope Laptop Program Kicks Off New Year
October marks the kick off for the Generation Hope laptop program. Fort Worth Sister Cities is proud to be the international component for this program, which was founded by Commissioner Roy C. Brooks four years ago. The program provides laptop computers to low income middle school students.
Fort Worth has partnered with educators and students in Toluca, Mexico and Mbabane, Swaziland to facilitate communications with the Gen Hope students. This year, students from Tec de Monterrey in Toluca, Mexico, will blog with 8th grade students from the Gen Hope program. The students will talk with each other about their cultures, their lives, and what school is like in their countries. Sister Cities and Gen Hope also conduct a sister cities day in December, when the students are required to combine learning about how to use power point presentation with researching information about all eight of Fort Worth’s sister cities. They develop presentations which are impressive.
Fort Worth Sister Cities is looking forward to furthering the connection with Gen Hope. We hope they have another great year.
About Gen Hope: The Generation Hope Laptop Program was designed to educate and enhance students’ ability to use technology to achieve academic success. In the fall of 2010, the Generation Hope Laptop Program provided laptops and structured curriculum to over 260 sixth and seventh grade students across eleven schools in the Crowley, Everman, and Fort Worth Independent School Districts. ”The mission of Generation Hope Laptop Program is to nurture, empower and develop the whole child by leveraging technology with computer involvement and global awareness to brighten their life possibilities.”Sister Cities Sends Young Professionals to Japan on Business Exchange
Fort Worth, TX — Delegates depart October 2—12 for mentorship program
Fort Worth Sister Cities will be sending eight delegates to Nagaoka, Japan next month as part of the Young Professionals Japanese Business Mentorship Program. The selected delegates will work for ten days alongside their counterparts in Nagaoka while being home hosted to gain a cultural perspective.
The participants include:
- Marguerite Allen, City of Fort Worth, Economic Development Dept.
- Hannah Behrens, HGC Real Estate Services
- Monica Germinario, Refugee One
- Will Northern, Northern Realty Group
- Dr. Michael Roemer, Trinity Valley School
- Anette Soto, U. S. Dept. of Transportation
- Deborah Sutton, Northwestern Mutual
- Tracy Williams, TCU Neely School of Business
Danke Shon Simon Kohl
We have had the pleasure of working with a wonderful international intern from Trier, Germany for three months. Simon Kohl leaves us this month to return to Germany and his studies. We appreciate all his hard work managing the different international and educational projects in our office. Also, a huge thank you to his host families, Professor Jeffrey and Heather Todd and Katie Sherrod and Gayland Poole for making him feel so welcome and for giving him a place to call home. Danke and auf wiedersehen Simon. We’ll miss you.
Simon Kohl with Trier City Chair Michael Bennett and Director Emeritus Hilde Horchler
An Open Letter to the International Leadership Academy host families, teachers, facilitators, interns and volunteers
It is difficult to believe that the Fort Worth Sister Cities International Leadership Academy and Jr. Academy have come to a close and that the 125 participants have returned home – hopefully with wonderful stories of friendship and exciting activities they experienced while in Fort Worth. Because of this experience, you and they are forever changed.
On behalf of the board of directors, staff and our members, Sister Cities sends a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you. The things you did, from unloading linens for the dorms to taking a host son or daughter for the week or weekend, to teaching a hip hop dance or art class, your contribution exemplifies commitment to our mission of respect and understanding of other cultures and your desire to make the world a better place.
Danke, Domo, Xie Xie, Terimah Kashi, köszönöm , Gracias, Grazie, and Ngiyabonga, to each of you for contributing your time, energy, and financial resources to continue this award-winning academy. The Sister Cities community is an impressive one. Because of you and others in our network, we are recognized as having the best program in the United States.
Sincerely,
Students from eight countries in Fort Worth for Leadership Academy
Fort Worth, Texas – Visions of Peace Theme of Sister Cities Leadership Academy
Since 1989, the award-winning International Leadership Academy (ILA) has brought young people from Fort Worth’s sister cities to the area to discuss pressing global issues. 125 participants converged at TCU on July 14th to share their cultures and learn from one another.
Students from Fort Worth, Italy, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Swaziland, Indonesia and China are in Fort Worth for this 2 week program. The Academy’s goal is to increase communication and leadership skills through teambuilding, problem-solving, and sharing cultures.
The closing ceremonies take place this Saturday, July 28th, 10:00 a.m. at TCU’s Ed Landreth Auditorium. The ILA Class of 2012 will demonstrate what they have accomplished during the Academy in an elaborate performance. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
More than 100 Fort Worth families opened their homes to the students this past weekend sharing our western hospitality. The international students were treated to horseback riding, Texas Rangers baseball games, pool parties and shopping. This is a unique experience for both Fort Worth families, as well as the visiting students and teachers.
“We will never forget the students who lived with us and have all made life-long friends. This is true citizen diplomacy in action and one of the most rewarding experiences for all of us, “ said Kelli Bartlett, Sister Cities board member and host family.