As Katharine Bright and Scott Willard attempted to count to 10
on their fingers in a foreign language, the dialogue was a mixture
of beginner’s Japanese and laughter.
”
Konichiwa,
”
giggled Bright. Willard uttered something unpronounceable, which
he said meant
”
good evening.
”
Even with their epic 5,000 mile trip across the Pacific Ocean
threatened by a massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami, high
school students in the Gilroy-Takko Student Exchange Program
haven’t lost an ounce of enthusiastic momentum for their June 2011
adventure.
As Katharine Bright and Scott Willard attempted to count to 10 on their fingers in a foreign language, the dialogue was a mixture of beginner’s Japanese and laughter.
“Konichiwa,” giggled Bright.
Willard uttered something unpronounceable, which he said meant “good evening.”
Even with their epic 5,000 mile trip across the Pacific Ocean threatened by a massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami, high school students in the Gilroy-Takko Student Exchange Program haven’t lost an ounce of enthusiastic momentum for their June 2011 adventure.
Bright and Willard, 17-year-old juniors from Christopher High School, are two of seven students from CHS and Gilroy High School gearing up for the journey. They’re being polished and prepped as Garlic Capital ambassadors in monthly training sessions from GHS alumnus Rolph Siverson, 26, who is on the exchange program board and instructing students in Japanese custom, culture and language.
The rest of the roster includes GHS students Miguel Lugo, Andrew Mikkelsen, Janki Patel, Marissa Pham and Michelle Shields.
CHS Principal John Perales, who is also scheduled to make the trip, did say if the situation in Japan worsens to the extent of a “nuclear plant meltdown” travel plans would likely be canceled.
“As you can imagine, we have some concerns about traveling to Japan given the state of the areas that were impacted by the earthquake and tsunami,” he wrote in an e-mail Friday. “Now we are also concerned with the nuclear power plant issues. We will continue to keep a pulse on these issues and make a decision regarding the trip as the date nears – we would never place any student in harm’s way.”
For the time being, he said administrators will study the situation and make the final call as departure time nears.
“I was scared that the earthquake and tsunami might cause a lot of harm to our friends in Takko-Machi, but I was relieved when I heard that they were all OK,” Willard said.
Each student is preparing for the trip by putting together a different presentation to enlighten their hosts on life in the United States.
“Mine is on school spirit,” said Bright, a member of the Associated Student Body who lives and breathes CHS gusto on a daily basis. “I want to see if any schools over there have spirit week.”
Bright’s family recently hosted a Japanese exchange student, whom Bright is hoping to reconnect with in Japan.
“We grew very close over the time she was here with us,” she said. “I can’t wait to see her again.”
Willard, who also enjoyed his experience hosting two Japanese exchange students, said he’ll be introducing his Takko-Machi comrades to the gloriousness of American cuisine.
“Like In-N-Out,” he said.
“Taco Bell,” suggested Bright through more giggles.
During the past 20 years, students in the Gilroy High School Chamber Choir have been visiting Gilroy’s sister city Takko-Machi with instructor Phil Robb. The popular program has allowed GUSD students to become enmeshed in Japanese culture, traditions and lifestyles, while strengthening a transcontinental relationship and forming new friendships.
Since the opening of Christopher High School in 2009, the opportunity was expanded last year beyond the choir group to all high school students wishing to apply for the program.
Robb, who is currently getting ready to embark on an April concert tour in Europe with GHS Chamber Choir members, joked he’ll miss going to Japan and being the center of attention.
“The whole idea will be to pass the baton on to a younger group of people who understand the value of this cultural exchange and carry it,” he said.
Robb made the Takko-Machi trip a total of eight times with students.
“It’s somebody else’s turn to take this on, develop it and take it to the next level.”
Like a number of locals who have hosted exchange students or made the trip to Gilroy’s sister city, Willard and Bright are just two examples of the special relationship Gilroy citizens have formed and fostered with Takko-Machi.
“This earthquake is a major tragedy, and I really hope that the people of Japan can recover. With the radiation scare right now, along with all the other damage, we’ll just have to wait and see how things turn out,” said Willard, who is hopeful. “The situation can change a lot in the next three months.”
To get into the program, students had to obtain letters of recommendations, write their own letter and fill out applications. They’re also financially responsible for funding 60 percent of the cost of their own trip.
