Lawrence students prepare to visit Japan

A youth delegation prepares to visit Hiratsuka this summer. Shown here are Yoshie Hisatomi, Japanese Outreach Coordinator (top right), Rachel Bennett, chaperone (top center), six of the eight students, and Shelby Ross, a Friend of Hiratsuka member (far left).  

Eight Lawrence students, two chaperones, and one Friend-of-Hiratsuka member are preparing to travel to Hiratsuka, Japan, for the first student exchange trip since the Covid shutdown.  The group is preparing for the trip with the help of Japanese Outreach Coordinator,Yoshie Hisatomi. Students participating are Greta Bennett, Santiago Gonzalez-Comacho, Kendel Gill, Riku Hickman, Casey Kong, Ian Perkins, Maksim Sloan, and Asher Zelvy. Chaperones are Melissa Ross and Rachel Bennett, accompanied by Shelby Ross.

The delegation will leave from the new Kansas City airport on June 29, arriving in Hiratsuka on June 30 and returning to Kansas City on July 9. During the ten day visit in Hiratsuka the delegation will stay with host families. The City of Hiratsuka’s Youth Section will organize school visits, cultural sightseeing tours, and a visit to the Mayor’s office.  There will also be time for shopping and sharing with the host families.

On July 21, a Hiratsuka delegation consisting of ten students and three adult chaperones will arrive in Lawrence for a ten day reciprocal visit.  The Lawrence delegation families and chaperones will coordinate a full schedule of activities to acquaint them with Lawrence. Their visit  ends on July 30.  A schedule of events will be posted on the Sister Cities Lawrence website, www.sistercitieslawrence.org . We invite and encourage everyone who is able to join us in welcoming the delegation on July 21; the time and location are yet to be determined.

If you are interested in hosting our Hiratsuka guests, please contact James Hilliard for more information. Email  james.hilliard@thermofisher.com, or text 785- 218-3872.