![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
The Longmont Sister Cities is a Nonprofit organization that offers students a trip to one of their various sister cities: Ciudad Guzman, Mexico, Chino, Japan, and the Northern Arapaho of The Wind River Road Reservation in Wyoming, U.S., which became a new sister city in September 2021.
While on a trip to a sister city, “You represent Longmont, you represent Colorado, you represent your family, you represent the government of Colorado,” Longmont Sister Cities President, Courtney Michelle said.
This representation creates a sense of responsibility for students of Longmont.
“It’s more than just a trip,” Michelle said. “You are traveling and seeing a lot of cool things. Still, you have a responsibility that is bigger than just going on a road trip with your family.”
All of the ambassadors will travel to all three places during the summer and will stay there for about a week in order for them to get familiar with the culture and time difference.
“The kids [student ambassadors] who go to Mexico and Japan are hosted by somebody in their house,” Michelle stated.
Then all ambassadors,including ambassadors from Japan and Mexico, come to Longmont and do activities in the city. This is a great way for students to get to know each other a little better.
Silver Creek High School senior Claire Atteberry was an ambassador on this year's trip to Chino, Japan.
”It was my first time going to Japan,” Atteberry said. “It was a completely different culture and experience, which was super interesting.”
The student ambassadors are representing Longmont, but also there to experience the culture of a new place.
“My favorite part was getting to spend time with my host family,” Atteberry said. “They were welcoming, and it was such a neat experience to connect so deeply with a different family whom I'd never met before.”
Atteberry recommends this experience to people who are able to travel.
“If you can go to Japan, you absolutely should,” Atteberry said. “It feels like you're going to a place that's kind of in the future. It's very clean, everyone's very respectful, and it's gorgeous there.”
Atteberry explained that they mostly took public transportation, since Japan does a really good job at having access to different types of public transportation.
“I got to take a bullet train in Japan, which was cool,” Atteberry said.
Similarly, Atteberry loves bands and music because they connect people across cultures.
“I was excited to connect over music with people across the world and to see another country, try new foods, and go to a new place,” Atteberry said. “It's an experience that I'll probably never get to do again, so I didn't want to miss that chance.”
Silver Creek freshman Elijah Crotser was also an ambassador on this year's trip to Chino, Japan.
Crotser’s favorite part of the trip was “everything, but if I had to choose one thing, I think it would be the concert,” Crotser said.
“The concert in Japan was a concert between Longmont and Chino, Chino started the concert, then Longmont got their time to shine. After that, both bands were combined to perform the last four pieces together,” Crotser said.
Crotser took time to appreciate more than just the musical performances.
‘It was much different than the United States, ” Crotser said. “Japan is just full of rich cultural history, and all the food there just tastes amazing as well,”
If you are interested in having an amazing and unique experience visit Longmont Sister Cities.
