FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
July 9, 2010

Bon Voyage: Cary Teens Pack Suitcases for Sister City Adventure

CARY, NC – As part of an annual youth exchange program organized by the Town of Cary’s Sister Cities Commission, four Cary area high school teens will be traveling to Le Touquet, France July 11-22. During their 11-day visit, the teens will record their immersion in French culture with a joint filmmaking project documenting life in Le Touquet. In 2011, French students will come to Cary and participate in a reciprocal media project documenting daily life in Cary.

“A cornerstone of Cary’s Sister Cities Program is a focus on youth involvement,” said Kris Carmichael, Town of Cary’s Sister Cities Commission staff liaison. “Youth exchanges and cultural initiatives benefit not only the individuals participating, but also the entire community as we strive for peace and seek mutual understanding between nations.”

Teen participants include: Elizabeth McQuaid and Erin Carter of Middle Creek High School, and Tara Slagle and Katrin Jenkins of Green Hope High School. All associated costs are covered by the students, their families and the Sister Cities Association of Cary, a private non-profit organization. Regular exchanges between the communities have occurred since 1993 when the first culinary exchange took place between Wake Tech Culinary School and Lycée Hôtelier du Touquet.

The Sister Cities Commission provides representation for the citizens of Cary in partnership with the Cultural Arts Division of the Town of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.  The commission strives to promote global understanding and encourages and assists Sister City relationships between the U.S. communities and their citizens and cities throughout the world. In addition to Le Touquet, current Sister Cities are County Meath, Ireland; and Hsinchu City, Taiwan. The Town also has a relationship with Markham, Canada.

For more information on the Town of Cary’s Sister Cities Commission, visit Boards & Commissions at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 460-4971.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Kris Carmichael, Arts & History Center Supervisor, (919) 460-4971
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951