WELCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES
FROM TSUCHIURA, IBARAKI, JAPAN
WHEREAS, exchange programs between middle schools are the foundation of the Sister City program with Tsuchiura, Japan, which promotes international and intercultural understanding among our youth; and
WHEREAS, Palo Alto and Tsuchiura City have worked together to involve their respective middle school students and their families in cultural and educational exchanges and special programs; and
WHEREAS, the opportunity to host Tsuchiura students here and to send Palo Alto students to Tsuchiura, Japan since 1994 has been mutually beneficial.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Vicki Veenker, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, hereby express our heartfelt welcome and the best wishes of the City of Palo Alto to Mr.
Hirotomo Araki, Ms. Taeko Banno, Ms . Azusa Nakagoshi, and fifteen students: Rio Sugita, Kanon Furukawa, Ai Usui, Kanji Ono, Kokoa Sakai, Kiyoka Numata, Sahya Hanaeda, Mai Yaguchi, Kokone Yoshimura, Ryoichi Kawada, Keita Tsukahara, Sousuke Nasu, Yuuna Kurata, Sayaka Watanabe , and Kirato Hino.
FURTHER, w e also acknowledge their Palo Alto buddies: Khloe Chang, Milla Rosen, Alyssa Leong, Austin Shovkoplyas, Hailyn Kim Cho, Kaya Ishihara, Hui Ching Perri So, Ella Guo, Ellie Lin, Rohan Chandra, Elijah Straub, Matteo Boog, Lindsay Mo, Adeline Tran, and Tyler Stutz.
PRESENTED: March 16, 2026
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Vicki Veenker
Mayor
Proclamation