MONTEBELLO — The Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association (MASCA) bid a hearty bon voyage to the two 2024 student ambassadors from Montebello when they departed on July 22 and arrived in Japan the following day to begin their three-week stay with host families in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, where they are experiencing Japanese society, culture, customs and daily life.
Isaac Flores and Ben Richards were chosen as the pair after the MASCA selection committee reviewed their applications and conducted interviews with the students and their parents.
Isaac graduated in June from Montebello High School, where he was creative director of the yearbook and president of the Film, Music and Art Club.
“I can’t wait to connect with everyone in Ashiya and delve into the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and its people,” exclaimed Isaac.
Ben will be a senior this fall at Montebello High School, where he is a left-handed pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He enjoys cars and Formula 1 racing and learning about math and science, and hopes to become a genetic engineer in the future.
Ben shared, “I can’t wait to meet all the amazing people of Ashiya and make lifelong memories.”
Meanwhile, Ashiya Cosmopolitan Association (ACA) will be sending their pair of 2024 student ambassadors, who will arrive in Montebello on July 29. Proudly representing ACA are Nao Hashimoto and Tomohiro Shibabuki, who will live with Montebello host families until they depart three weeks later on Aug. 19.
Nao, a second-year high school student, plays koto and shamisen in the Koto Club, heads the Model United Nations Club, and is a member of the Student Council and the School Festival Committee. She likes to draw, read manga, watch anime, and play the guitar.
“I am interested in many new things, so I am looking forward to seeing what new things I can discover in Montebello city,” said Nao.
Tomohiro is in his first year in high school, where he is on the rugby and swimming teams. He also belongs to a local chorus club and enjoys listening to music and singing songs.
He said, “I would be happy if I could watch a Major League match or go to Disneyland. I also like to eat and want to try tacos. I can’t wait to see you and the wonderful people in Montebello through this program.”
The ACA student ambassadors will have tours of Montebello City Hall, the police and fire departments, and the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. They will be presented at a City Council meeting and attend a Montebello Rotary Lunch, just to name a few activities.
The MASCA and ACA students will be in the Nisei Week Grand Parade on Aug. 11.
Nao and Tomohiro will formally be introduced to the community at the Welcome Potluck on Tuesday, July 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Montebello City Hall, 1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello. All are welcome to attend and are asked to bring a dish to share.
In 1961, Montebello and Ashiya signed an international agreement as part of the “People to People Student Ambassador Program” initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Their respective sister-city organizations created the Student Ambassador Program in 1964 and have been exchanging two high school or college students nearly every summer.? MASCA is a nonprofit community organization and donations are welcome.
For information on MASCA and the activities planned for the ACA student ambassadors while in Montebello, contact Emma Delgado, president of MASCA, at (562) 477-0260 or [email protected]