ジェファーソン・エレメンタリースクール＆シニアハイスクール

　ジェファーソン・エレメンタリースクールには、昨年美里町を訪問したメアリーさんが勤務していました。ここでは校長先生の歓迎の後、授業やアメリカのフォークダンスを見学させて頂きました。次に訪れたのは、シニア・ハイスクールです。全校生徒による歓迎や迫力あるドラム演奏には圧倒されましたが、４月に美里町を訪れる親善大使との交流を通して、アメリカの高校の雰囲気を楽しむことができました。農林高校長からの親書を代表の小野奈津季さんが読み上げ、高校の紹介や記念品の交換を行った後、担当の生徒が校内を案内してくれました。そしていよいよ４日間のホームステイがはじまります。

ウイノナ市長表敬訪問＆ミドルスクール訪問

　この日の最初の訪問先はウイノナ市役所です。ウイノナ市長のお出迎えにより、庁舎内へと案内して頂いた親善大使33人は、市長、議会議長、シティマネージャーから歓迎の挨拶を頂いた後、美里町長からウイノナ市長への親書を伊藤和希さん（小牛田中学校）が読み上げました。式典終了後は、市長との記念写真撮影や、美里町からの贈り物が展示してある「Misato Room」見学の後、次の訪問先であるウイノナ・ミドルスクールへと移動しました。ミドルスクールでは全校生徒による歓迎式典において、中学校長からの親書を金澤理紗さん（不動堂中学校）が読み上げました。その後のスクールランチで交流を深めた親善大使は次の訪問先、ジェファーソン・エレメンタリースクールへと向かいました。

親善大使、姉妹都市のウイノナ市に到着！

　美里町の親善大使33人が、無事アメリカに到着しました。ミネアポリス空港ではウイノナの親善大使の皆さんによるお出迎えがあり、一緒にマクドナルドでの食事やイーグルセンターの見学、アメリカの古い玩具を扱っているラークトーイズの視察を経て、午後6時頃ウイノナ市のホテルに到着しました。ホテルでのホストファミリーや大勢の関係者の皆さんによる歓迎ぶりには、美里町の親善大使たちも大変驚いた様子でした。夕食はホテル付近のパーキンスで各自英語で注文を行い、その後スーパーマーケットで買い物をしてホテルに戻りました。ハードな一日でしたが、美里の親善大使は皆、元気いっぱいです。いよいよ明日は市役所と学校訪問です。

We're on our way

After a brief send-off ceremony we set out for the airport. Mayor Sasaki and other officials along with the parents and teachers of the students wished us safe travels - then we were off.

Its 1:10am (Japan time). We made it the first little leg of our trip. Our 33 member group will spent the first night at a hotel near Narita Airport. We had a smooth 6 hour bus ride down from Miyagi

Our group is a little nervous. For most of the students this will be their first time out of their country. Thats a very big deal, and somewhat scary for them. There are many unknown flying around in their head's right now.

Personally, I'm not worried about them. These kids are brilliant, and are poised to create some amazing, boardline - life changing memories over the next 10 days.

Almost there 結団式の様子

Last week Thursday we had our last Orientation meeting with all the parents and students. We passed the mic around the room for the ambassadors to tell us about their goals for this trip. Misato's Mayor and Deputy Mayor along with Kamata-san were on hand to wish our group well.

Mayor Sasaki presented Waki Ito with his letter to be delivered to Mayor Miller, and encouraged our students to make the most of their time in America. We leave Misato at 6:30pm Tuesday March 10 (Japan Time).

T minus 7 days and counting

Our group is getting a little antsy. You know how it is when you're ready to go, and now all you can do is wait. That is where we are sitting right now. I know that some of the kids are already starting to put things in their suitcases. Sometimes I forget how big of a deal this exchange is. For many of the students, this will be their first time on an airplane. For some of the adults - its been many years since they have traveled internationally, but that travel bug is still very much alive in them.

This week Thursday we have our last orientation meeting. All of the parents and many of the city officials will be on hand for it. Our delegates will give brief speeches about what they hope to see, eat, do, experience, feel, learn, buy or whatever while they are in Winona. This is the kind of exchange that can help shape the future of these young people. Its a big deal.

Exchange Update

March 10th is very quickly approaching and there is still a lot to do. Well, actually - most of the big stuff is ready to go. Joe Lepley and I have exchanged hundreds (literally) of emails over the last several months getting all the details hammered out. On our end, the kids are excited, nervous and really busy. It is the end of the Japanese school year and the kids have dozens of tests and things to get through.

We have another orientation with our group tonight (Friday, Feb 27). We'll be reviewing some English with them - mostly immigration and customs, teaching them able tipping - tipping is not a common practice here, and get a few general things taken care of.

My Japanese counter-part Endo is busy getting the host families lined up for April. Its sort of odd around here because we have most of the work March done, we're starting to focus April. April should turn out to be great too. There are a few special things that are shaping up for that trip. Our hospitality group is looking into a few new things for this year, and the city has some surprises too. Should be good.