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Arts & Culture - Sister Cities Program
The ancient Zenkoji Temple located in Nagano, Japan and the beaches of Clearwater both attract large numbers of tourists each year. Mayor Kurashima saw the great potential of a shared bond between the two cities. The exchanges have grown through the years. The current Mayor of Nagano, Mayor Shoichi Washizawa, is extremely committed to continuous interaction, which has resulted in cultural understanding, immeasurable friendships and the enhancement of the Sister City program. The teacher and student exchanges have been the backbone of the Sister City Program. Every year Nagano sends two teachers for a one month working visitation. The teachers are placed with volunteer homestay families and Pinellas County School System coordinates the school schedule. Nagano also sends a group of middle school students and subsequently another group of high school students for one week of homestay and school visitation in Clearwater.
The Pinellas School Board of Education teacher exchange program began in 1983. Currently, two teachers are sent for one month in the summer to live with a homestay and teach English at several schools. The student exchange program, initiated in 1990, comprises a group of four students and a teacher/chaperone. Their purpose is to attend middle schools, give presentations, interact with students and enjoy life with a homestay family. Students previously stayed in Nagano for one month. Starting in 2005, the length of stay was changed to two weeks. These mutually beneficial exchanges have had an extremely positive impact in promoting and nurturing cross-cultural relations in educational and community arenas. Long lasting friendships, deeper understanding and appreciation for our respective cultures are the bonds that connect our cities and make us one. Host Family HelpOur greatest obstacle to making a smooth exchange is finding suitable host families. Sister Cities is compiling a list of families willing to host either students or adults. Depending upon the exchange arrangement, hosting could be as short as a few days or as long as two weeks. Host families are expected to make arrangements for their guest to be dropped off and picked up according to a preplanned schedule. This seems to be the greatest challenge for our families, so if you have contemplated hosting a student or adult, please allow us to see how we may assist you. Many times a student may attend the same school as your child. Don't forget your neighbors. You may be surprised to discover that they are either willing to help with transportation or interested in becoming a host family themselves. Please consider exploring this opportunity and sharing our need with others. For additional information please contact Felicia Leonard at 562-4852. Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. MembershipAnnual Membership in the Clearwater Sister City Organization is $15 per individual or $25 per family. The organization promotes global friendship, communication and understanding through exchanges and activities. For more information, call Mr. Schuster at 727-789-2135, or download a membership application here. You may also find additional information by visiting the Clearwater Sister Cities Facebook page and clicking "Like". Program HighlightsMiddle School Student Exchange Visit: March 20-26, 2013 Tour Guide Mr. Koji Watanabe escorted Matsushiro Junior High School Principal Mr. Shoji Kubota, Board of Education representative Mr. Fuminori Karaki and twelve middle school students from Nagano, Japan to Clearwater as part of the Sister Cities exchange program. Although their visit was short, the students spent two days visiting Safety Harbor Middle School where they observed classes and gave presentations about their lives in Japan. They had the opportunity to visit City Hall, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Bright House Field and even spend a day at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Their trip ended with a Sayonara Party held in their honor at Countryside Recreation Center. City Manager Bill Horne and Councilmember Jonson officially thanked our Homestay Families for opening their hearts and homes to these visitors, Clearwater Arts Alliance, Clearwater Sister Cities Inc. and Pinellas County Schools for their continuous support to the Sister Cities Program. A special thanks to Felicia Leonard, Chris Hubbard, Marsha Beall and the volunteers for coordinating the program.
Consulate General Visit to Clearwater: January 2013 January 31, 2013, Consulate General Eiichi Kawahara of Japan in Miami visited the City of Clearwater and was greeted at City Hall by many of the local citizens and city staff involved in with the Sister City Exchange program. He also spent the afternoon with Mayor Cretekos discussing the continued value of cooperation between Sister Cities of Clearwater and Nagano Japan.
Middle School Teacher Visit: October - November, 2012
As part of the annual exchange program, the City of Clearwater welcomed Ms. Sachiko Miyashita for one month beginning October 14, 2012. Ms. Miyashita is a Middle School English teacher in Nagano-city. During her stay, Ms. Miyashita was placed with volunteer homestay families and Pinellas County School System coordinated the school visits. Her schedule included presentations and observations at five area schools, including Chi Chi Academy, Blanton ES, Safety Harbor Middle School, Bayside High School and Countryside High School. She had the opportunity to visit City Hall and meet our government officials. Ms. Miyashita also enjoyed a tour of our city, Beach by Design and Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Pinellas County School's Teachers Exchange Visit: July 2012 Since 1983, Pinellas County Board of Education sends two exchange teachers over to Nagano Japan for one month each year for a working visitation. This year, Krista Valentage and Nicole Rao were selected as exchange teachers from Safety Harbor MS. The teachers are placed with volunteer home stay families and the Pinellas County School System coordinates the school schedule while they are there. Here are pictures Nagano shared as they arrived safely in Nagano and as they met with the mayor, the superintendent and city officials.
Young Ambassador's Exchange Visit: June/July 2012 - Young Ambassadors Meet U.S. Ambassador James V. Roos
On June 25, 2012 the Young Ambassadors along with Mr. Grant Peterson from the City of Nagano International Relations Section, met with the Honorable Mr. John V. Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan at his residence in Tokyo. Pictured from left to right above are: Eva, Mrs. Phyllis Cole, Emily, Grant, Samantha, Will, Mr. Daryl Schuster, Danielle, Alexis, the Ambassador, Logan, Mr. Rich Wisemiller, Alex, and Princess. View the August 2012 CSCI Newsletter. Each year since 1999, the Clearwater Sisters Cities Inc. hosts the Clearwater - Nagano Middle School Cultural Student Exchange Program known as the "Young Ambassadors". To apply for the exchange, middle school students must obtain teacher recommendations, write an essay, and complete a series of interviews before invited to participate. This program offers young people the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country's language and culture as they stay with local families. In addition, they visit and give presentations to schools in the Nagano area, and get involved in educational exchanges. Rich Wisemiller, who has been employed by Pinellas County Schools for twenty years has been traveling with the Young Ambassador students for the past ten years. During this trip he had the pleasure to met John V. Roos, US Ambassador to Japan. Middle School Student Exchange Visit: October 17-21, 2011 Read the Winter 2011 Sister Cities Newsletter for more details.
High School Student Exchange Visit: March 5-14, 2011 Five high school students and two adults from Nagano, Japan were in Clearwater from March 5-14 as part of the Sister City exchange program. The students visited Clearwater and East Lake High Schools where they observed classes and gave presentations about their lives in Japan. They also enjoyed visits to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Kennedy Space Center. Because of the earthquakes and tsunami, the upcoming scheduled middle school visit from Nagano has been postponed. Please keep our Sister City residents of Nagano in your thoughts and prayers during this unprecedented time. We understand that Nagano city sustained minor damage.
Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. International Bazaar - March 23 - 24, 2011 Lantern Festival 2011 Clearwater citizens and city employees created design panels for the lanterns used in Nagano City's February 2011 Lantern Festival.
As part of the annual exchange program, a Nagano middle school teacher, Mr. Kenzo Kawashima, had the opportunity to experience Florida culture for one month beginning October 17, 2010. He teaches at Matshshiro Junior High School in Nagano City. The teacher was placed with volunteer homestay families and Pinellas County School System coordinates the school visits. His schedule included presentations and observations at seven area schools, including Bayside High, Carwise Middle, Chi Chi Academy, Countryside High School, Dunedin Highland Middle, Tarpon Springs and Vincero Academy. He also enjoyed tours of city facilities, Beach by Design and Bright House Fields. 2010 High School Student Exchanges As part of the Sister Cities Clearwater/Nagano student exchange program, four Clearwater area students traveled two weeks to Japan in June 2010. The students were Katie Bosley from Clearwater High School, Ariana Lazzaroni from Palm Harbor University High School, Rachel Lubitz from Countryside High School and Vonabell Sherman, a home-school student. Ms. Linda Damsky, from Pinellas County Schools and a Sister Cities Advisory Board member, accompanied the students. The high school students were participating in a tradition of educational exchanges between Clearwater and Nagano that has continued for many years. As ambassadors, they spent two weeks in Nagano, meet with the Mayor, attended local schools and learned about life in Japan. Since their return to Clearwater, they will be sharing their experiences with the City Council, Sister Cities, Inc. and other organizations around Clearwater. Read about Vonabell's experience A Delegation from Nagano, Japan Visited Clearwater on Friday, April 23, 2010 to Celebrate the Sister Cities Relationship's 50th Anniversary
View more photos of the delegates' visit here. Clearwater is celebrating its 50th anniversary as the sister city of Nagano, Japan, and a delegation from the city, including Nagano Mayor Soichi Washizawa and Mrs. Washizawa, along with other officials and citizens from Nagano (seventeen people in all), marked the occasion with a reciprocal visit to Clearwater. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and city officials made the trip to Nagano in the fall of 2009. The Nagano delegates stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and with homestay families.
The delegation's visit began on Friday, April 23, at 9 a.m., at Clearwater City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Ave. Clearwater's Mayor Frank Hibbard or other city Councilmembers, Clearwater Sister City officials, and Clearwater city employees were on hand for each event. The welcoming ceremonies began with a continental breakfast followed by mayoral welcome, entertainers, ringing of the ceremonial bell from Nagano in the City Hall lobby, remarks and an exchange of official gifts. Friday evening, there was a dinner reception at the Sheraton Sand Key, hosted by the Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc organization. Events taking place on Saturday, April 24th, included a business meeting with area stakeholders and associated partners in the Sister Cities relationship, including City of Clearwater officials and staff, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce representative, Sister Cities Board members, Pinellas County Schools representatives and alumni of the Clearwater/Nagano exchange student program. A Sayonara party took place at the Clearwater Main Library, and the visitors enjoyed the festivities at Coachman Park for the Fun n Sun jazz concert. Clearwater has enjoyed Sister City relations with Nagano, Japan since 1959 when Mayor Kurashima of Nagano came to the United States. He was searching for a city with similar economic and community needs and wished to develop new friendships, ideas and business partnerships. The exchanges between the two cities have grown through the years, culminating in a hospitality center that was a collaboration of the two cities at the XVIII Winter Olympic Games in 1998. The current Mayor of Nagano, Mayor Shoichi Washizawa, is extremely committed to continuous interaction, which has resulted in cultural understanding, immeasurable friendships and the enhancement of the Sister City program. Clearwater citizens and city employees created design panels for the lanterns used in Nagago City's February 2010 Lantern Festival Exchange students visit Clearwater Feb. 6-13, 2010 As part of the ongoing exchange visits between Clearwater and Nagano, five high school students and their teacher/chaperone arrived on Saturday, Feb. 6. The group will stay with homestay families for a week and visit three area schools. Clearwater, Countryside and Eastlake High Schools have graciously offered to host, again this year. The students will visit St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus, tour areas of interest, and take a trip to Disney.
Members of City Council travel to Nagano, Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Sister Cities relationship
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan. The program has its roots in an initiative begun by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1956, a people-to-people movement for citizen diplomacy was established with the goal of creating a free and peaceful world. More than fifty years later, the Sister City Program continues to thrive. Currently, Sister Cities International represents 694 communities in the United States with 1,992 partnerships and 1,749 international communities in 134 countries. During the next two years, the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan plan to commemorate this longstanding affiliation with various celebrations. Nagano invited Clearwater to participate in their annual February lantern festival. A special section of the event featured designs submitted from Clearwater citizens with messages of peace displayed in illuminated lanterns that lined the streets of Nagano. Clearwater held a similar event in its downtown during the annual Fun ‘n Sun Festival this past April. Members of the City Council and their spouses traveled to Japan in October, 2009, to attend a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship. While there, the official delegation participated in a 'samurai parade' and met with the mayor of Nagano City. View Streaming Video of the 50th Anniversary Visit The Japanese Culture and Lantern Festival was held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Station Square Park, 612 Cleveland Street This event honored the city's 50th anniversary with its sister city of Nagano, Japan. Demonstrations of traditional Japanese martial activities included judo, kendo, and yagyu. Other Japanese traditions displayed were the art of kimono, tea ceremonies, bonsai, sumi-e painting, calligraphy, and origami. Musical performances included taiko drummers and the koto, a Japanese stringed instrument. The event culminated with a lantern lighting ceremony and a parade, with patrons of the event carrying hand-held lanterns provided by Nagano City. Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan. Clearwater and Nagano, Japan Celebrate a Golden Anniversary This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan. The program has its roots in an initiative begun by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1956, a people-to-people movement for citizen diplomacy was established with the goal of creating a free and peaceful world. More than fifty years later, the Sister City Program continues to thrive. Currently, Sister Cities International represents 694 communities in the United States with 1,992 partnerships and 1,749 international communities in 134 countries. During the next two years, the City of Clearwater and Nagano City, Japan plan to commemorate this longstanding affiliation with various celebrations. Nagano invited Clearwater to participate in their annual February lantern festival. A special section of the event featured designs submitted from Clearwater citizens with messages of peace displayed in illuminated lanterns that lined the streets of Nagano. Clearwater held a similar event in its downtown during the annual Fun ‘n Sun Festival this past April. Mayor Frank Hibbard and his wife will travel to Japan in October, 2009, along with several other members of the City Council, to attend a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship. While there, the official delegation will participate in a 'samurai parade' and meet with the mayor of Nagano City. Nagano Teachers to Clearwater in Oct. - Nov.
Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. and the City of Clearwater welcomed a delegation of dignitaries and citizens from Nagano, Japan. The previous summer, fifty-three Clearwater representatives including City Council members, teachers, students and citizens visited Nagano to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Sister City relationship. The reciprocal visit was a wonderful opportunity for Clearwater to host our international friends, show- off our Clearwater scenery, and display our Southern hospitality. Discussions between the cities explored ways of increasing cultural, educational, business, and tourism exchanges. Nagano High School and Middle School Students to Clearwater in February and March Every year families in the Clearwater community open their homes to students from Japan. The students visit middle and high schools in Clearwater to teach students about their culture and experience education in America. On the students off days, the Clearwater families take them to the highlights in Clearwater: the beach, the marina, recreation centers and community parks.
Clearwater to Nagano in Summer 4 local High School Students + Chaperone to Nagano Every summer Clearwater sends four High School students and one chaperone to participate in our cultural exchange with Japan. The four students are picked from a competitive pool of applicants and travel to Japan for a reasonable cost. The students stay with a screened homestay and spend two weeks immersed in Japanese culture. Activities include visiting local attractions, giving presentations at local schools and meeting the mayor of Nagano. If you or your child is interested in this program, please pick up an application from your high school's guidance, foreign language or social studies department. Young Ambassadors Program The Clearwater - Nagano Middle School Cultural Student Exchange Program began in 1999 and has sponsored exchange trips ever since. In 2004, in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship, 45 students, teachers, and city officials went to Nagano. The application and interview process typically occurs in December. Since its inception, the program has taken over 60 students and their chaperones to Nagano, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, Japan.
Photo Galleries
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Sister
City - Nagano, Japan
Our Japanese visitors always devise a wonderful performance for our Sayonara Parties. Students here added to the festivity by dressing in their Happi coats. 
Middle School Teacher Visit: October - November, 2010
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