Laredo students invited to apply for Sister City program

If you attend a Laredo high school and also want to learn more about a unique cultural exchange, develop peer relationships, and study about - and visit - other cities around the world, among other activities, then you should consider applying for the City of Laredo's Sister City's Youth Committee.

But hurry, the deadline is right around the corner! Applications must be signed by your high school counselor and turned in before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24.

Students who were on this year's committee recently returned from New Mexico and New Zealand to participate in the Sister Cities Youth Global Conference and Student Exchange Program, where they not only developed practical approaches to real life global issues, but also, lasting friendships with people of various cultures.

"It's amazing to me to see how the students who belong to the Sister Cities Committee just seem to gain a maturity and understanding about the world in such a short amount of time," said Councilman Hector Garcia, Dist. II, who is one of the chief supporters of the program. "We are so proud to have them be our ambassadors of Laredo to the world; they are true diplomats, and this committee really helps give them that experience."

In 2005, the Laredo City Council established the Youth Program for students interested in promoting goodwill and understanding between the City of Laredo and its Sister Cities. The goal of the City of Laredo Sister City Youth Committee is to make a significant contribution to global peace by allowing Laredo's youth to partake in an experience that will influence their personal lives as they develop into adults

If selected, the student will be in the program for two years. Students are required to have a benevolent project where they assist one of Laredo's Sister Cities with school supplies, clothing, shoes, new blankets or health aids. Additionally, the help host the annual International Sister Cities Youth Festival in January, inviting youth from various sister cities to come see what life is like for a typical American teenager – on the border. Other projects include assisting in various City of Laredo functions and events and taking an active role in taking care of Laredo's environment, by either recycling or planting trees.

Now in its sixth year, previous committees have also participated in community service projects throughout the year, such as clean-up campaigns with Keep Laredo Beautiful; visiting, singing and pet sharing with the elderly at the nursing homes; volunteering with the ALS Walk or WBCA events; the annual Holiday Bowl and Kite Festival or any other project where people in the community call and need assistance.

The committee is comprised of juniors and seniors from each public and private high school in the City of Laredo. Applicants are selected based on the following criteria: counselor recommendation, leadership potential, hobbies, ability to communicate, community awareness, knowledge of host cities, poise, personality, sincerity, sense of humor, interest in world peace and understanding, dedication to the program.

Interested youth must be in their junior year of high school and can obtain an application from their high school counselor, calling the City Secretary's Office at 791-7308 or by downloading the application from the City of Laredo's website at: www.cityoflaredo.com/SisterCities/Youth Program/09-10/YCIndex.htm