Category: Student Delegations

Congratulations to all the students who were selected for Youth Ambassador exchanges in 2025! Students go through a rigorous application and interview process before being selected for travel to one of our sister cities. After selection, students attend cultural orientations to prepare for travel abroad and to get to know the culture of their destination.

A special congratulations to Oforitsenere Bodunrin who received the Yamagata Emerging Leader Scholarship for her excellence in community service and leadership. Oforitsenere will be using the scholarship to travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy in the spring.

Budapest, Hungary

• Daniel Barreto, World Languages Institute
• Charles Cady, Fort Worth Country Day
• Kaylee Crain, Trinity Valley School
• Daisy Daniels, Western Hills High School
• Abi Flores, World Languages Institute
• Rose Flores, World Languages Institute
• Angel Garcia, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Ashley Leija, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Mason Rawlins, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Dani Rubio, LD Bell High School
• Samantha Saade, Fort Worth Country Day
• Lauren Snearly, LD Bell High School
• Maycena Stedman, LD Bell High School
• Maddox Wolfe, Fort Worth Country Day

Delegation Leaders

• Chelsy Beninate, Fort Worth Country Day
• Araceli Garcia, Charles Nash Elementary

Guiyang, China

• Nara Acuna Guba, Fort Worth Country Day School
• Mariana Gonzalez, World Languages Institute
• Mahan Gopalan, Fort Worth Academy
• Aiden Gutierrez, All Saints Episcopal School
• Dorothea Hart, Booker T. Washington High School
• Harmon Hong, Fort Worth Country Day
• Sean Hong, Fort Worth Country Day
• Mason Lawrence, Southlake Carroll High School
• Tristan Lawrence, Southlake Carroll High School
• Kennedy Laster, Braswell High School
• Adrian Marioni, World Languages Institute
• Julianna Wood, World Languages Institute

Delegation Leaders

• Krista Forsgren, Windows On Asia Consulting
• Rubi Roy, Fort Worth Sister Cities International Alumna

Associate Delegation Leaders

• Alex Guillen, University of Texas at Arlington
• Antti Havia, University of Denver
• Bryn Kane, University of Houston
• Celia Miller Pitt, Pacific Lutheran University

Nagaoka, Japan

• Edythe Cline, Trinity Valley School
• Mackenzie Crain, Trinity Valley School
• Raegan Florsheim, Trinity Valley School
• Ana Garcia, IDEA Edgecliff
• Dejonae Hanson, Southwest High School
• Chloe Lee, TCC South Collegiate
• James Lopez, Fort Worth Academy
• Findley Maxwell, World Languages Institute
• Bella Ortega, Harmony School of Innovation
• Emily Resendiz, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Cecilia Rico, Stripling Middle School
• Paxton Trinh, Southlake Carroll High School
• Kellen Wright, All Saints Episcopal School

Delegation Leaders

• Hillary Relyea, Trinity Valley School
• Emily Bordman, Stripling Middle School

Nagaoka, Japan – Harashin

• Kaylee Crain, Trinity Valley School
• Aadith Gowda, Coppell High School
• Aiden Loughran, Colleyville Heritage High School
• Ashton Melven, World Languages Institute
• Evelyn Rodriguez, Chisholm Trail High School
• Bowie Royal, Aledo High School
• Savannah Solsbery, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• Chloe Swinford, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Alternate: Nate Hackworth, Trinity Valley School
• Alternate: Riley Ledesma, I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA

Delegation Leaders

• Patricia Anderson, Diamond Hill Jarvis High School
• Chloe Marshall, Clifford Davis Elementary

Nimes, France

• Brenna Belauskas, Nolan Catholic High School
• Ava Berry, All Saints Episcopal High School
• Elizabeth Endres, Nolan Catholic High School
• Aadith Gowda, Coppell High School
• Nate Hackworth, Trinity Valley School
• Juliet Madrigal, World Languages Institute
• Sophia Mora, Fort Worth Country Day
• Michael Phillips, I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA
• Immanuel Rodriguez, North Side High School
• Chloe Soule, Southwest High School
• Ella Taylor, Nolan Catholic High School
• Victoria Tran, Nolan Catholic High School

Delegation Leaders

• Hao Tran, Trimble Tech High School
• Cindy Vasquez, UNT Health Science Center

Reggio Emilia, Italy

• Ramon Barajas, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Oforitsenere Bodunrin, Tarrant County College
• Lillian Doze, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Siam Freeman, Arlington Heights High School
• Albert Gamero, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Cesar Gutierrez, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Riley Ledesma, I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA
• Diego Lomas, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Jessica Lorenzana, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Walker Maxwell, R.L. Paschal High School
• Fiona McDonald, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Maxwelle McPhaull, I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA
• Audrey Middleton, R.L. Paschal High School
• Hassan Piaubert, Game Design & Development Schools
• Michael Rodriguez, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• Sofia Rubio, World Languages Institute
• Gene Starr, Marine Creek Collegiate High School
• Lorelei Wadsworth, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Zoe Williams, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Faith Wormley, Arlington Heights High School

Delegations Leaders

• Dr. Michael Roemer, Trinity Valley School
• Kathy Roemer, Greenhill School

Trier, Germany – Sport Camp

• Emmanuel Dawkins, Amon Carter Riverside High School
• Walker Maxwell, R.L. Paschal High School
• Elizabeth Nytko, Tarrant County College
• Grady Roth, Fort Worth Country Day School
• Austin Trinh, Southlake Carroll High School
• Henry Vitek, R.L. Paschal High School

Delegation Leaders

• Dawnelle Butler, Eagle-Mountain Saginaw ISD
• Jerome Butler, Gameday Productions

Mbabane, Eswatini (2026)

• Oforitsenere Bodunrin, Tarrant County College
• Charles Cady, Fort Worth Country Day School
• Mackenzie Crain, Trinity Valley School
• Walker Maxwell, R.L. Paschal High School
• Maxwelle McPhaull, I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA
• Hassan Piaubert, Game Design and Development Schools
• Michael Phillips, I.M. Terrell Academy of STEM & VPA

Delegation Leaders

• Courtney Upp, Stuard Elementary
• Brandy Sapp, IDEA Public Schools
• Paige Collins, Fort Worth Sister Cities International

 

For decades, Sister Cities International has leveraged the power that art has to transform societies and transcend cultural boundaries through the Young Artists and Authors Showcase, or YAAS. The Showcase has given youth worldwide the opportunity to express their vision for a more unified, peaceful world through original art and literature.

Fort Worth Sister Cities International held the local showcase to choose student pieces to be submitted to the worldwide competition interpreting the theme “ClimateScape: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate.” All artists will be recognized along with their original pieces at a special reception on May 21. Find out more>

We want to give a special thanks to our judges Hilde Horchler, Rachel Malone, Ron Crouch, Bronwyn Logan, Estrus Tucker, Leo Wesson, and Britt Stokes.

Congratulations to all the artists and authors who were selected and entered into the international competition.

Artists (classic)

• 1st Place – Reconstructed by Vidhi Jadeja (17), Flower Mound High School
• 2nd Place – Blended Cities by Lorelei Palmer (14), Young Women’s Leadership Academy 
• 3rd Place – Una tarde en italia by Mariana Gonzalez (15), World Languages Institute
• Honorable Mention – Home by Campbell Timmons (14), Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

Artists (digital)

• 1st Place – Urban Landscape by Sam Brown (17), Paschal High School
• 2nd Place – POLAR by Eric Rollins (18), Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

Photographers

• 1st Place – Daydream by Natalie Ricke (17), Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• 2nd Place – Green Spaces by Celeste Jenkins-O’Reilly (17), Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• 3rd Place – Natures Embrace by Lucia Payton (18),  I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA
• Honorable Mention – The Mirror by Sally Al Imari (17), Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Authors

• 1st Place – “Echoes of Ember” by Harmon Hong (13), Fort Worth Country Day School
• 2nd Place – “Lux” by Celia Miller Pitt (18), Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• 3rd Place – “Hope Springs Eternal” by Eva McWaters (15), All Saints Episcopal School
• Honorable Mention – “LUNGS” by Magnolia Potemkin (15), I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA

Poets

• 1st Place – “Perfection” by Eliza Stubblefield (15), I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA
• 2nd Place – “What’s in a city?” by Ariana Wolf (18), James Martin High School
• 3rd Place – “Tomorrowland” by Joshua Ideji (17), Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• Honorable Mention – “Everyday the sun shines” by Marydith Agyemang (14), Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Fort Worth welcomes students from its newest sister city, Nîmes, France, this week for the second annual youth ambassador exchange to Fort Worth.

Two teachers and 14 students from Nîmes will be hosted by the World Languages Institute, Fort Worth Country Day School, and Nolan Catholic High School Feb. 25 – March 3. Students will be home hosted by community volunteers giving them a true Texas experience, as well as providing a glimpse of life in America. The students will also attend school and visit cultural sites of interest while in Fort Worth.

“Sister Cities works closely with the Fort Worth ISD and private schools to give students the best opportunity possible to be successful in a global society,” said Greg Jackson, Chairman of the Board. “Exchanges, like these, are more important than ever to teach young people the importance of global understanding and respect of other cultures whether here in Fort Worth or abroad.”

A special farewell dinner for the students will be held at the World Languages Institute on March 2 with special performances by the French and Fort Worth students.

Fort Worth students and leaders depart next month for Nimes, France; Budapest, Hungary; and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Delegations are led by educators from the FWISD, private schools, and universities.

In February, the students attended a Fort Worth City Council where Mayor Mattie Parker administered the Citizen Diplomat Oath to the students and their Delegation Leaders in preparation for their upcoming youth exchanges.

Students complete a vigorous selection process including personal interviews and are selected to represent the City of Fort Worth as Youth Ambassadors each year by Fort Worth Sister Cities. Applications are available for all students, as well as funding to support many.

Through these experiences, students benefit from a global education, as well as learn valuable leadership skills. Their understanding and respect of other cultures also increases which enhances their college and career opportunities.

When the students return to their local campuses, they share the lessons learned while abroad with others, helping make Fort Worth more globally fluent. More students will be traveling this summer.

For a full list of students visiting our sister cities, click here.

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 33 years, it is estimated that over $2 million has been generously donated benefiting Fort Worth families.

Fort Worth Harashin scholars include Laila Abu Tobeh, Julieta Almanza, Anjali Ferguson, Dorothea Hart, Alexandra Rodriguez, Jonathan Pulido, and Ian Valderas; and will be led by Delegation Leaders Kimberly Kowalski and Dimanche Brewer.

“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 Greg Jackson, Chairman of Fort Worth Sister Cities International. The students depart July 26 for a 10-day exchange and the Japanese students will be in Fort Worth Aug. 8-17.

All student applicants (grades 9-11) 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 nine sister cities provide youth the opportunity to spend time 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.

Find our more about youth exchanges>

Fort Worth, TX – Sister Cities fields youth sports teams

Fort Worth is sending nearly 100 student athletes and coaches to the seventh edition of the Tricolore Youth Sports Games in Reggio Emilia, Italy July 22 – 30, 2023.

The games create an opportunity for young people to convey a positive impression of American youth to nearly 1,000 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 Matt Graves, Tricolore Chair in Fort Worth. “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 Tom Law, Tricolore Committee Member.

The Tricolore Games are held every four years in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Fort Worth’s sister city for 38 years, and Fort Worth will be the sole representative of the U.S.A. Teams participating are  competing in baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and volleyball.

On May 7, the Fort Worth Youth International board elected officers for the 2023-24 school year. Stay tuned to hear about their innovative plans to engage youth in the Fort Worth community.

A celebration was held to thank the outgoing board for their many accomplishments during the year. Led by President Leah Peterson, the board hosted a Taste of Sister Cities kickoff event, volunteered at the Mayor’s International International Dinner, Lunar New Year Celebration, and Japanese Children’s Day, educated their peers about New Year celebrations around the world, and organized a service project for Refugee Services of North Texas.

Thank you to our outgoing board and congratulations to the new board!

2023-24 Officers

• President: Delia Sanchez Juarez, World Languages Institute
• Vice President: Alexandra Rodriguez, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts
• Secretary: Abigail Cawyer, Nolan Catholic High School
• Fundraising Officer: Nara Acuna-Guba, Fort Worth Country Day School
• Public Relations Officer: Denise Smith, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Cultural Orientations and Programs Officer: Andrew Booth, Fort Worth Country Day School
• Community Outreach Officer: Myiesha Sharma, Flower Mound High School

At Large Members, Harashin Scholars

• Laila Abu Tobeh, Aledo High School
• Anjali Ferguson, Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences
• Dorothea Hart, Booker T. Washington High School
• Jonathan Pulido, World Languages Institute
• Connor Smith, Paschal High School

At Large Members, School Representatives

• International Newcomer Academy: Christian Jones
• World Languages Institute: Aileene Santillan
• Paschal High School: Sam Brown & Valeria Venegas
• Western Hills High School: Vianet Garcia & Daisy Daniels
• Arlington Heights High School: Keiko Sanchez
• Northside High School: Dolores Mills
• Trinity Valley School: Grace Hackworth
• Young Women’s Leadership Academy: Aixa Rodiguez & Sidney Jones
• McLean Middle School: Leah Mocek
• Home School: Antti Havia
• Southwest Christian School: Carson Stavenhagen
• IM Terrell: Ava Stubblefield
• Fort Worth Country Day School: Gigi Schueneman
• All Saints Episcopal School: Erin Miller
• Southlake Carroll High School: Lauren Oliver
• Crowley Collegiate High School: Shynice Conner