March 2024
Rotary Club of Delray Beach recognizes Student Ambassadors
Our Student Ambassadors, Leah, Daniel, Katelynn and Emily, who will be traveling to Japan this June, made a presentation about what they are learning in preparation for their trip to the Rotary Club of Delray Beach. Daniel also played his sax to entertain the crowd.
Thank you to Rotary President Nick Basiaga and President-Elect Tina Stawicki for their hospitality and for presenting the Student Ambassadors with recognition certificates.
Pictured here are our Student Ambassadors: Leah Green, Daniel Halpern, Emily Joseph and Katelynn Foster – along with Atlantic High School teacher Stacey Stephens-Miller; Nancy King, who is both a Rotarian and a Sister Cities Board Member; Tony Durante, who is our Japanese Cultural Instructor and Sister Cities Board Member; and Pauline Zaros, Sister Cities Vice President.
January 2024
Our Student Ambassadors hosted a Pot Luck Dinner for families and board members, at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, demonstrating their Japanese language skills and sharing some of the information they have learned in their weekly Japanese culture classes. Daniel also provided some entertainment on the sax!
2023-2024 ONGOING
Sister Cities of Delray Beach has kicked-off our BRAVO BUCKS FUNDRAISER, in support of our Student Ambassadors’ trip to Miyazu, Japan in 2024.
Bravo Bucks are an amazing, and proven effective tool for teaching and managing chores and daily tasks. This new twist on allowances helps parents teach children how to work towards something they want, while also learning how to accomplish chores and various tasks that are set by each family. Bravo Bucks comes complete with suggested tasks categorized by age, a weekly tracking chart, and lots of colorful “bucks” that vary in denomination.
This is a fun game-like system that, while aimed at families, can also be used in the classroom. It’s a must-have for teachers, day care, and babysitters, too!
We are currently selling Bravo Bucks kits for a $20 donation – or two for $30. Schools and organizations that are interested in bulk pricing should call 561-702-5061.
If you are interested in purchasing a Bravo Bucks set, please email scofdbrsvp@gmail.com.
October 2023
2023/2024 Student Exchange Ambassadors to Japan Selected
Sister Cities of Delray Beach is excited to announce that our selection committee has chosen four outstanding students from Atlantic Community High School to represent Delray Beach and travel to Japan in 2024 as part of our ongoing exchange with Miyazu, Japan. The students selected are: Katelyn Foster, Leah Green, Daniel Halpern and Emily Joseph. They will be joined on the trip by previously selected ambassadors who were unable to travel in 2020, as planned, due to the Covid pandemic.
The chosen ambassadors will spend the year between now and their trip learning about Japan and the specific region they are traveling to, how to speak some Japanese and read it as well, familiarizing themselves with Japanese customs and etiquette, and more.
The first student exchange between Miyazu and Delray Beach took place in 1999. Since then, a group of student ambassadors from Delray Beach has visited Miyazu every two years to continue the exchange of cultural understanding and friendship. Miyazu sends a group of their own student ambassadors to Delray Beach every few years as well.
July 2023
Celebrating our 45th Anniversary Sister City bond with Miyazu Japan
Sister Cities of Delray Beach board member, Tony Durante, was in Japan, and met with Miyazu Mayor Masafumi Kizaki in July, 2023. On behalf of Delray Beach and our amazing 45 years of our Sister Cities relationship with Miyazu, Mr. Durante presented Mayor Kizaki with a glass sculpture inscribed with “45th Anniversary of Sister Cities, Unwavering Ties Between Miyazu and Delray Beach, September 29, 1977-Present.” Also included in gift-giving was a book made by a student ambassador from our last exchange program that documented their trip to Miyazu.
We are extremely proud of this 45th anniversary milestone, and look forward to many more years of cultural and educational exchanges and programs between Delray Beach and Miyazu.