04/24/02 - 04/25/02
 |
Officials of the Nio Town Government and
School system visit Waupaca to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Sister
City relationship. Visitors spent Wednesday, April 24, 2002 visiting our
schools and on Thursday, 4/25 they toured city facilities and the area.
Wednesday evening there was a reception held in their honor which was
sponsored by the Waupaca Rotary Club. On Thursday, the city of Waupaca
hosted a banquet with full program and exchange of gifts. The highlight of
the evening was the presentation of a specially commissioned watercolor,
titled "Celebration" painted by local artist Marie App. (see below)
|
This year we celebrate the 5th anniversary of international exchange between our esteemed Sister City, Nio, and Waupaca. We feel honored to be part of this cultural learning experience. We are honored to have special guests from Nio here with us.
To show our appreciation of your friendship, the people of Waupaca want to give you an original watercolor painting by one if its area artists, Marie App. On the painting you will find a few familiar symbols:
 |
our mutual logo |
|
the tree you have given us and that is growing well |
|
our bandstand near our city hall |
|
the Chinese lanterns that symbolize Main Street, which welcome light and wisdom |
But I would like to point out the one symbol that explains why our cultural exchange began in the first place five years ago. It was for our children, our students. The streamers of carp hung on a pole are symbols of strength and success of our children. Like fish who must preserve against mighty currents as they swim for their lives, so do we wish that the children of Nio and Waupaca learn endurance, valor, tenacity, strength and success.
|
Waupaca International Exchange Program |
|
| Every summer a
group of junior high school students from Nio, Japan comes to Waupaca to
stay with area families for a week or two. Waupaca students fly, then take
a train to visit families in Nio, Japan. The trip takes close to 24 hours.
Nio-town is on the island of Shikoku, just south of the biggest Japanese island, Honshu. It is located on Japan's inland sea. Nio has many steep hills and is very beautiful. Thanks to this Sister City program, Waupaca people have made many fine friends in Nio. Please visit Nio at http://www.town.nio.kagawa.jp
|
|
 |
Waupaca and Nio exchange students in Waupaca at the farewell dinner on August 8, 2000. |
 |
The entire exchange group of Japanese and American students and chaperones. |