January Board Members. Honorary Chair: Brigette Peterson Town of Gilbert Councilmember. President: Gregory M. Tilque

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1 Board Members Honorary Chair: January 2017 Brigette Peterson Town of Gilbert Councilmember President: Gregory M. Tilque Vice President: Larry Morrison Secretary: Open Treasurer: Donna Backhaus Town of Gilbert Liaison: Kurt Sharp Directors: Dave Daniels Deane Daniels Gayle Disch Joan Krueger Kimberly Large Suzanne Lunt Christopher Stroud Rich Vandermolen Pamela Williams

2 of it. The point of Gilbert Sister Cities is to build international friendships and I can honestly say that is exactly what happened. I now have a family and a best friend/sister in China. My trip to China was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and learn all about it and come to appreciate it. I was welcomed with open arms into a new family and grew close with everyone in it. It was an amazing trip and words cannot express how incredible it was -- I wouldn't change one bit Jackie Palmer For more on her trip go to:

3 Corinne Johnson Right Off the Bat My host family picked me up from the airport and we went straight home. The next day we explored Leshan a little and I realized that Leshan is super green and covered in trees. We had dinner with close family friends and luckily they had a daughter that is fluent in English. First Week! After dinner with the family friends, we went to Old Town Leshan and explored the history of the area. Within a few days, we went to see the world s largest Buddha and had special access to the bottom of the monument!! Not too long after, I got the chance to read to children in a library and even be on the news.

4 Emei Mountain My host family and I went to a mountain famous for its heavy Buddhist influence. We spent three days there. The first day we visited a monastery and had dinner with Buddhist monks. The next day we explored the middle region and even encountered some monkeys. Summit of Emei The final day on the mountain was spent at the summit. We took a cable car to the top of the mountain and saw the beautiful golden statue and beautiful temples.

5 Xi an My host brother and I travelled alone to Xi an via a 14 hour train ride. We spent two days there and saw the Hua Qing Palace, the Terra Cotta Army, and Daming Palace. Chengdu On our way back to Leshan, My brother and I stopped in Chengdu. The rest of the family met us there. The family and I explored ancient markets, hot pot (style of food), and saw GIANT PANDAS!!!! My Family I became so attached to my family. My cousin and I had so much fun together and my mom treated me like I was her own daughter. By far the best three weeks of my life. For more on her trip go to:

6 Here Becca and I are enjoying the view of the sea from Carrickfergus Castle! Not only did I spend the summer with the most warm, kind, fun-loving family, but I also had the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Northern Ireland. It was the most extraordinary summer of my life! Josie Landers

7 Prior Years Youth Ambassadors Where are they now? Kellen Law Since I was a little kid, I've always had a fascination with the orient. I loved the food, the interesting lanterns, and the thought of religious monasteries high and deep within the mystical mountains. I didn't know much, but I was intrigued! applies. When I heard I could potentially go there as a delegate for the Sister Cities for free, I thought that was the greatest thing since crunchy peanut butter! So my Junior year (2012), I applied and went through the interview process to become a delegate for that year. I was amazed and taken aback by how few applicants there even were! There were 4 spots and only 11 applicants. It reminded me of some of the most incredible scholarships that go to the only person that I had a great experience. To be honest, it was rough at times, but it was the best growing experience for me up to that point in my life. I became more confident in myself and more self sufficient- I would never change the pain of growth and the incredible experience I had for anything! Since then, I've always wanted to go back! This past January (2016), my sister and I heard that we could get paid to teach English in China. I took that chance almost right when I heard about it! We lived there for 4.5 months, lived with Chinese families, took mandarin classes, and got to travel around and experience the culture even more. My Chinese host family was gone for a week and I realized I had the opportunity to go out back to Leshan and visit my fellow Chinese delegate family that I stayed with four years before. I took the opportunity again and flew over there for the second time. I spent four nights there with the great friends and family I'd made years before. I am forever grateful for the Gilbert Sister Cities Program and their generosity. I'm so blown away by the volunteer hours and manual labor that is put in to make it possible, but I will always, always remember how that experience has blessed me and guided my life. I hope all who have a desire to be a delegate don't back away because of fear of failure. I also hope that the amazing people that help with this great program knows how much I appreciate them. To them, thank you again!

8 In November, we are pleased to welcome a delegation led by Mayor John Scott from the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to Gilbert. Their main purpose for visiting was to sign a new partnership agreement in light of the fact that the name of the city has changed since the original agreement was signed on November 17, We also updated some of the goals from the original agreement. The signing took place at the Gilbert Municipal Center on Thursday, November 17 (exactly 18 years after the original signing). Back to the signing in the agreement was signed by Mayor Cynthia Dunham and Councilman Larry Morrison was on the council and now serves on the sister city board. Sister cities President Greg Tilque was also in attendance (he was Vice President at the time) and Beccy Hlawek was our President and signed the original agreement. From the Antrim-Newtownabbey side Councillor Fraser Agnew was at the original signing and was in attendance on this trip as well. The delegation consisted of 12 people and while in Gilbert they met with town staff and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce to look at best practices. They will also toured a local company Rigid Industries to look at potential economic development opportunities. After the signing ceremony, the group took part in the water tower lighting. Finally, they participated in the Gilbert Days Parade before they had to head home Saturday night. It was a great visit and gave us the opportunity co connect with old acquaintances as well as make some new friends.

9 Do you want to be more involved with Gilbert Sister Cities? Do you have ideas for fun and rewarding events to do with our members? Do you want to help with our outreach? We would love to hear from you and have your help! Please contact Greg Tilque at for more details on how you can be more involved with Gilbert Sister Cities.