Andrew Coburn's Deauville October Update

Using September as a month to settle in and really get going, we hit October full on. It took about a week or so to really get comfortable with being up in front of my kids and teaching them something that literally comes naturally to me. However, after some careful planning, I finally began to get the hang of it. In the first period of teaching I covered topics of introduction (asking names, favorite things, where they lived), and weather. Each day (except Wednesday) there are afterschool activities. Tuesdays there are two slots reserved for the Americans to take over, one cultural, and one hands-on. We took turns each week covering each. Elizabeth and I covered Kentucky one week with a reading of B is for Bluegrass and some derby coloring sheets, as well as making Halloween masks and watching kids Halloween films. In the hands-on, I taught the kids Dodgeball, Ninja, and how to make ice cream in a plastic bag. We will continue these until Christmas break where we will be covering topics that we choose over the course of the second half of the school year.

         It’s not October without Halloween! My kids were overjoyed when I turned on the projector to show a Halloween presentation complete with a picture of me in a clown costume from several years ago, and a French Halloween song my teachers used to teach Halloween vocabulary words in my high school French classes. I also took this moment as a way to plug in Transylvania University's 'Pumpkin Mania' which astounded the children. On the last two days leading up to our first vacation, we held Halloween parties in the two countryside schools and learned just how much we (and the kids) love Spooky Bowling, regular bowling, but with bottles decorated to look like ghosts. The night before vacation we participated in the Deauville Halloween party that was held in a WW2 German-occupied villa in town. The party included a pumpkin carving station (ran by the TAs), a haunted house, mystery boxes, and a haunted underground bunker.

Using September as a month to settle in and really get going, we hit October full on. It took about a week or so to really get comfortable with being up in front of my kids and teaching them something that literally comes naturally to me. However, after some careful planning, I finally began to get the hang of it. In the first period of teaching I covered topics of introduction (asking names, favorite things, where they lived), and weather. Each day (except Wednesday) there are afterschool activities. Tuesdays there are two slots reserved for the Americans to take over, one cultural, and one hands-on. We took turns each week covering each. Elizabeth and I covered Kentucky one week with a reading of B is for Bluegrass and some derby coloring sheets, as well as making Halloween masks and watching kids Halloween films. In the hands-on, I taught the kids Dodgeball, Ninja, and how to make ice cream in a plastic bag. We will continue these until Christmas break where we will be covering topics that we choose over the course of the second half of the school year.

My creations this year!

During this month I did a decent amount of traveling both with the girls and alone. I took a weekend to surprise a sister from my host family in Lyon and used my layovers in Paris to revisit some sites (since the last time I was in France was 2015 with Sister Cities). Afterward, a local friend gave me a tour of the neighboring cities of Honfleur and Le Havre (where I also spent 3 days during the first week of vacation). With the first big vacation coming up at the end of the month we all decided it was a good idea to get out of Deauville and see some close by cities and countries. The first weekend we all hopped on the train to Paris where the girls spent a weekend while I continued to Reims to see some old friends. I then continued on to Le Havre, and a teacher at the Deauville elementary school gave the girls a day tour of Honfleur. The second week the travel bug was really getting at us, so we booked tickets on Brittany Ferries, and sailed off to London where we spent 5 days discovering the city, eating lots of fish and chips, pies, and drinking lots of tea. While the two weeks of vacation have been nice, we are excited to be back home in Deauville and are already looking forward to our next adventures in Europe and in teaching.

-Andrew

Palais de Justice and Notre Dame Basilica in Lyon

 London!

London Bridge wasn't falling down that day!

Getting to know Deauville- 2018 TA Elizabeth Whitlock's thoughts on the first month in Deauville

The first month or so in Deauville have been filled with new experiences and adventures. From getting settled in to our new home, finding exactly which local boulangerie has the best tarte aux fraises, to meeting our new co-workers at each school, every day here in France has held new excitements.

We three Americans spent our first few days discovering the world around us. The city of Deauville was nice enough to give passes to the American Film Festival here, which we took advantage of and saw a few great films and even spotted a celebrity or two. We passed more time by digging our toes into the cool sand of the Deauville beach. Wrapping up on the beach in a sweater and jeans was definitely a new experience for me, but seeing dogs and babies playing in the sand and watching horses trot along the waters’ edge made the chilly breeze totally worth it.

When it comes to our experiences at the school, all three Americans were nervous to start. Myself in particular was incredibly nervous to meet the kids for the first time, but the children are completely excited to see you, meet you, hear a little English, and find out about the strange far-away land you’ve come from. The teachers and counselors we work side by side with are incredibly kind and helpful. They are excited for our journey as well. Being surrounded by friendly faces makes the transition of moving and working in a foreign country a bit easier.

Though Deauville is a small town, there are shops, restaurants, and cafés tucked away down a random street, so if you allow yourself to just get lost for an afternoon, you can find some real hidden treasures. It is surprising how there are many elements that remind me of Deauville’s sister city and my home, Lexington, particularly in the stables where the horses are boarded near the hippodrome. I feel right at home.

In the coming month, I am very excited to get further into teaching. As of this blog post, we have completed our first week of classes, and are still acclimating and getting all the butterflies out. The kids are so sweet, and are one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. 

Fundraiser to Benefit Lexington Sister Cities Student Scholarship Fund

On Wednesday, September 12, Lexington Sister Cities will be hosting its 16^th Annual Edward T. Houlihan Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser. The event will be held at O’Neill’s Irish Pub located at 2051 Richmond Road. Starting at 5:30 PM, festivities will include Liam’s Fancy Irish Music, McTeggart Irish dancers, Irish dancers from the Bluegrass Ceili Academy, a silent auction, and Irish Stew and Brown Bread prepared by guest chef Mary Parlanti. All proceeds will benefit the Lexington Sister Cities student scholarship fund. Admission is $10.00.

We hope to see you there!

2018 Lexington Sister Cities Young Artist Competition

Winners of the 30th Annual Lexington Sister Cities Young Artist Competition Announced

Rose Linn, a students at Frederick Douglass High School, was selected as the 2018 winner of the 30^th Annual Lexington Sister Cities Young Artist Competition.  

Rose Linn, 1st place

The Sister Cities Young Artist Competition is sponsored by Central Bank and the John G. Irvin Galleries, as well as the Lexington Sister Cities Commission.  The contest was open to all Lexington students aged 13-18. 

The theme of the competition was “The Art of Diplomacy”.  Rose’s piece, “Diplomacy”, was done on sketch paper with colored pencil, pencil and sharpie.  Her inspiration comes from her thoughts that “hand-shaking was an international symbol of diplomacy and peace and, by putting the flags of the world on it in an artful way, I was representing the art of diplomacy”. 

Second place was awarded to Aurionne Beck of Frederick Douglass for her piece “One Love”.  Third place went to Anya Hartman of Lafayette for her work titled “Synched Up”.  Carmen Coleman from Bryan Station received honorable mention for her piece “Shine Your Eyes”.  Steve Kelly from Central Bank awarded first place $250; second place $150; and third place $100.  Councilmember and Sister Cities Chairman Bill Farmer awarded honorable mention a $50 prize. 

Aurionne Beck, 2nd place

Anya Hartman, 3rd place

Noelle McGill, teacher of the honorable mention recipient Carmen Coleman. 

The winning art teacher, Rebecca Banks of Frederick Douglass, received a $250 prize from Lexington Sister Cities to use for classroom supplies. 

Winning teacher Rebecca Banks. 

A reception was held on Friday, January 5th to announce the winners and open the gallery.  All entries will be on exhibit at the Central Bank Gallery through January 26^th, 2018. 

The 1^st place piece will be submitted to the worldwide Sister Cities International Competition at the annual conference in Aurora, CO from August 2-4, 2018.  

Steve Kelly from Central Bank, Rebecca Banks, CM Bill Farmer, Rose Linn, Aurionne Beck and Anya Hartman at the reception.  

There were 22 pieces from 5 different schools entered into the 2018 competition.  Thanks to all the artists and teachers who participated in the showcase this year!

Rose Linn, "Diplomacy"
Frederick Douglass,
Teacher: Rebecca Banks
1st Place

Aurionne Beck, "One Love"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill
2nd Place

Anya Hartman, "Synched Up"
Lafayette
Teacher: David Page
3rd Place

Carmen Coleman, "Shine Your Eyes"
Bryan Station
Teacher: Noelle McGill
Honorable Mention

Alana Bloomfield, "Peace Achieved"
Sayre School
Teacher: Bill Berryman

Meeral Saeed, "Together"
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Jennifer Lee, "Fox and Man On a Bus"
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Chase Faulkner, "Man of Nations"
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Ryan Willard, "International Peace"
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Desiree Davis, untitled
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Nicole Wong, "ATGC"
Dunbar
Teacher: Deborah Eller

Lauren Kendall Stephens, "Save Mother Nature"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Alyssa Gebhardt, "Peacemaker"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Hope Turley, untitled
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Yolitzy Gorostieta, "City Hands"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Autumn Jackson, "world transparency:
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Kayla Smith, "Diplomacy under the Leaves"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Breanna G. Land, "Diverse Countries Come Together"
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

Isaac Jackson, "work of art"
Bryan Station
Teacher: Allison Davis

Chelsea Wafford, "Let's Mingle"
Bryan Station
Teacher: Allison Davis

Cassandra Hacker, "Diplomatic Horses"
Bryan Station
Teacher: Allison Davis

Alyssa Gebhardt, untitled
Frederick Douglass
Teacher: Jason Sturgill

 

Youth Leadership Summit 2017

    Lauren Prather participated in the Shinhidaka, Japan student exchange in 2016. She also participated in the Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit in 2017.    

                                      
                                          My Experience at the Youth Leadership Summit
             
                       As a kid, I had always felt a magnetic pull to the globe and its vastness. Last summer I was lucky enough to visit Shinhidaka, Japan with the Lexington Sister Cities. A year later I sat on a plane taking a leap of faith once again to participate in the Youth Leadership Summit in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

                The Summit focused on fish and wildlife sustainability in a global world. We learned that business and the environment are a constant balancing act. With none of us knowing the exact right way to work though the problem of sustainability we met different conservationists who helped us fully understand the issue and different ways of addressing it in a global society.

                Armed with our new-found knowledge we headed in to our State Department based negotiation, where we got placed into random groups. I ended up in the U.N more specifically The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which in my slightly biased mind was the best group. We worked together as a team to negotiate between the groups to come to a fair and rewarding conclusion for each of the parties involved.

                The whole event concluded with a lovely dinner and dance party; where I was able to meet the Sister Cities Kentucky delegation.  We danced late into the night, happily losing our voices. Together we watched how the different delegations participating had bonded, my roommate from the Bahamas and I dancing alongside our friend from Italy. 

                The Summit showed me that a Global mindset starts locally, and being involved in your local Sister Cities is a great way to effect real change in your community. I believe that my experiences with the Sister Cities have already changed me for the better, and I can’t wait to see how they will shape me in the future. 

Giving Tuesday begins tomorrow if you would like to donate to help students like Lauren participate in the student exchange program. 

Please visit our website to learn more and make a donation.

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/sistercities

Kay Sargent: Executive Director of Lexington Sister Cities

It was 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to launch an extraordinary program he called people-to-people.  Eisenhower’s goal was revolutionary at that time when he stated, 

“If we are going to take advantage of the assumptions that all people want peace, then the problem is for people to get together and to leap governments – if necessary to evade governments – to work out not only one method but thousands of methods by which people can gradually learn a little bit more about each other.”

This unique concept to enlist hundreds-of-thousands of volunteer citizen diplomats in a quest for peace was launched at a White House conference called by President Eisenhower on September 11, 1956 – yes, that’s correct, on September 11^th.  The President told the assembled delegates that, “in the opinion of this administration there is no more important work than that in which we are asking you to participate.”  

He summarized the goal as, “the most worthwhile purpose there is in the world today.”

Now, in 2017 – 61 years later, Eisenhower’s statement still holds true.  Organizations like Sister Cities International continue to contribute to people-to-people diplomacy, deeper cross-cultural understanding, and worldwide cooperation toward sustainable economic and community development.  These and other programs like them across the globe are deeply rooted in the ideal that we are all members of a single community that is global in scope; that no nation alone can hope to solve our most pressing problems.

Traditionally, Sister City activities have revolved around the arts, culture, education, youth, professional and social exchanges; these areas will continue to be the foundation of Sister City relationships.  However, as the world changes, new areas of leadership opportunities emerge from the Sister City network that many of our citizens are anxious to explore.  It is a chance to take a leadership position on issues that cross international boundaries – not only to talk about common problems, but to suggest solutions – by bringing together government, business, nonprofit organizations, and just ordinary citizens to make a difference in the cities they call home.  Today, there are over 2,400 partnerships in the US in 150 countries on six continents.

The Sister Cities sign in Deauville 

Raising the Lexington flag in Deauville 

The people of Lexington are very proud that their city was one of the first to follow President Eisenhower’s suggestion.  They joined the people-to-people movement in 1957 when they became Sister Cities with Deauville, France.  I can remember when the Commonwealth was best known for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  People from Tokyo to Paris knew us for this famous recipe.  Things have changed significantly – more and more international businesses are opening and thriving across Kentucky.  Kentucky has gone global.  Individuals who have never traveled outside the state are now traveling abroad.

In a connected world, students especially need a global perspective.  Through our student exchanges, we focus on educating our youth about the world around them; we place emphasis on foreign languages and cultural diversity.  The great potential benefits that can be derived from student exchanges are ultimately reflected in the ongoing attitudes and activities which continue long after the completion of the actual exchange.

We travel to Deauville today to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of our Sister City partnership.  This program has affected the lives of so many people, whether it’s a student that went on the annual high school exchange, a parent who hosted a student, a college student on a scholarship, a soccer player, a ballet dancer, an artist, a policeman, a musician, a teacher, an intern, a mayor, a governor, a council member, a business person, a volunteer or just a Lexington citizen who travelled to Deauville to visit our Sister City – so many touched by this program.

Lexington soccer team travelled to France in 1980

Another soccer team traveled to France in 1989  

I made my first visit to Deauville in 1980 – what a wonderful experience.  The delegation of 80 citizens from Lexington (14-member soccer team included) was led by Mayor Jim Amato and his wife, Bobbye Gayle; and I was asked to help make the travel arrangements.  We were met in Deauville by Monsieur Jacques Valentin, Chairman of the Deauville Twinning Committee.  The hospitality was incredible – reception at town hall with Mayor Anne d’Ornano; visit to the Normandy landing beaches; dinner in the homes of Deauville citizens; visit to near-by Honfleur and a tour of Calvados distillery; soccer matches; horse farm tour; trip to the famous Mont Saint Michel; garden party at the Deauville racetrack; and topped off with an elegant dinner and dancing at the Deauville casino.  It was certainly a trip to remember, and my first involvement with the Sister Cities program.  As you might expect, I was more than happy to help the Deauville Committee prepare when a delegation from Deauville traveled to Lexington the next year.

1980 delegation having lunch in Deauville
(yes, that's me on the right with the long hair) 

Delegation in Paris in 1980

Photos of my many visits to Deauville since 1980

Monet's Garden on the way to Deauville.

 Normandy American Cemetery.  

Honfleur. 

Dinner in Deauville with Monsieur Valentin.

My next participation with the program came in 1984, when Lexington and County Kildare, Ireland became Sister Cities.  Again, I was asked to assist with plans to take a delegation to Ireland and also help with the planning when the delegation from County Kildare came to Lexington to sign the agreement.  I was more than ready to take another adventure.

In 1988, I volunteered during the Sister Cities International Annual Conference, which was being held in Lexington.  We welcomed delegations from around the world, including delegations from both Deauville and County Kildare; and I watched as the Mayor of Lexington and the Mayor of Shizunai, Japan (later known as Shinhidaka) signed a Sister City agreement.  Since that time, my life has been dedicated to the Sister Cities program, including becoming a member of the board of directors for Sister Cities International (SCI).  Presently I am the Executive Director of the Lexington Sister Cities Commission, and serve as the Kentucky State Representative for SCI.

Lexington Sister Cities continues to grow having twinned with Newmarket, England in 2003; and if things go as planned, we will sign an agreement with a new Sister City in April (stay tuned!!)  So many memories and friends made – so many more to be made!

Managing a program like Sister Cities cannot be done by one person,  It would be appropriate at this time to thank the many citizens and groups in Lexington who volunteer their time to make this program a success.  Our ambassadors, committee members, parents, members, corporate partners, government officials, and local organizations all make it happen.

Also, a thank-you to the committees in all of Lexington's Sister Cities that work so diligently to keep this program going for hopefully generations to come.  On this special anniversary, a special thank you to Philippe Behuet and his Deauville Twinning Committee for all their dedication and work -- we look forward to seeing you soon!

Chefs Philippe and Christian

Philippe and Marie-Cecile's wedding

Our latest trip to Deauville in 2014 pictured with
Madame d'Ornano, Mayor Philippe Augier, Vice Mayor Linda Gorton

Attending the Deauville American Film Festival. 

A visit with Philippe, Marie-Cecile, Matthieu and Louise.  

Philippe's son Matthieu came to visit me in Lexington this summer

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LEXINGTON AND DEAUVILLE!