Delaware News

Delaware Welcomes Exchange Students from Miyagi, Japan

Department of State | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2012



First student group to visit Delaware since last year’s earthquake and tsunami

DOVER – Governor Jack Markell greeted a group of more than 50 Japanese exchange students and their teachers today in his office at Legislative Hall. They are the first group of students to visit Delaware from Miyagi Prefecture – Delaware’s sister state – since the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeastern coast of Japan.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome these students to Delaware,” said Governor Markell. “They and their families have endured much over the past year, and we are inspired by their resilience. It is wonderful to be able to re-start our exchanges with Miyagi Prefecture and to further develop our sister-state relationship.” Delaware and Miyagi have been sister states since 1997.

Students spent the afternoon meeting with Governor Markell and touring Legislative Hall. Over the weekend, the students performed at a concert for the community at Wilmington Friends Meeting House. A total of $1,300 was generated by ticket and other sales at the concert, all of which was donated to the Delaware Fund for Miyagi.

The visitors – who are in Delaware for about 10 days – attend various schools in Miyagi Prefecture, from middle school through college, and have been looking forward to this trip to Delaware for months. City of Dover Mayor Carleton E. Carey, Sr. was pleased to be able to finally welcome the student delegation to Dover. Due to the devastation that resulted from the tsunami, last year’s trip had to be cancelled. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the students, their family members and their communities as they adjust to a new normalcy,” said Mayor Carey.

Miki Smith, a Dover resident who was born in Tokyo, organizes the exchange program with schools in Delaware and schools in Miyagi.  In June of this year, students from Delaware will travel to Miyagi.

Last March, Miyagi was the worst hit prefecture (jurisdiction) in Japan from the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.  In the days following this tragedy, the State of Delaware, recognizing its special relationship with Miyagi, established a fund at the Delaware Community Foundation to help with the relief and rebuilding efforts in Miyagi. Over $108,000 has been donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations across Delaware. The donations were focused on three areas: helping children who lost one or both parents in the disaster; paying for immediate needs after the earthquake; and helping to pay for infrastructure projects.

Delawareans are encouraged to post notes of support for Miyagi on the Delaware Fund for Miyagi Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DelawareForMiyagi.

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Delaware Welcomes Exchange Students from Miyagi, Japan

Department of State | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2012



First student group to visit Delaware since last year’s earthquake and tsunami

DOVER – Governor Jack Markell greeted a group of more than 50 Japanese exchange students and their teachers today in his office at Legislative Hall. They are the first group of students to visit Delaware from Miyagi Prefecture – Delaware’s sister state – since the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeastern coast of Japan.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome these students to Delaware,” said Governor Markell. “They and their families have endured much over the past year, and we are inspired by their resilience. It is wonderful to be able to re-start our exchanges with Miyagi Prefecture and to further develop our sister-state relationship.” Delaware and Miyagi have been sister states since 1997.

Students spent the afternoon meeting with Governor Markell and touring Legislative Hall. Over the weekend, the students performed at a concert for the community at Wilmington Friends Meeting House. A total of $1,300 was generated by ticket and other sales at the concert, all of which was donated to the Delaware Fund for Miyagi.

The visitors – who are in Delaware for about 10 days – attend various schools in Miyagi Prefecture, from middle school through college, and have been looking forward to this trip to Delaware for months. City of Dover Mayor Carleton E. Carey, Sr. was pleased to be able to finally welcome the student delegation to Dover. Due to the devastation that resulted from the tsunami, last year’s trip had to be cancelled. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the students, their family members and their communities as they adjust to a new normalcy,” said Mayor Carey.

Miki Smith, a Dover resident who was born in Tokyo, organizes the exchange program with schools in Delaware and schools in Miyagi.  In June of this year, students from Delaware will travel to Miyagi.

Last March, Miyagi was the worst hit prefecture (jurisdiction) in Japan from the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.  In the days following this tragedy, the State of Delaware, recognizing its special relationship with Miyagi, established a fund at the Delaware Community Foundation to help with the relief and rebuilding efforts in Miyagi. Over $108,000 has been donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations across Delaware. The donations were focused on three areas: helping children who lost one or both parents in the disaster; paying for immediate needs after the earthquake; and helping to pay for infrastructure projects.

Delawareans are encouraged to post notes of support for Miyagi on the Delaware Fund for Miyagi Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DelawareForMiyagi.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.