2019 COTW students, teachers & chaperones on one of their field trips - Ruston Way with views of the Puget Sound!
Kiwi Visit 2019
New Zealand's Citizens of the World Ambassadors traveled to the United States Sept 14 - Oct 9, 2019.
After an amazing first week in California, our Hosting families welcomed our New Zealand friends to Tacoma on Friday, September 20th. Many of us already had connections to our guests so the airport was filled with a combination of hugs & tears, yet nervous new hellos for those who were meeting in person for first time. At the Welcome Assembly, COTW presented a beautiful gift to the administration of Meeker Middle School, as well as the traditional "teddy bear" exchange symbolizing our long history together. A jam packed 3 weeks was filled with field trips, events and average American fun for these students and adults. Several favorites included a visit to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, the Halloween party, and a rare behind scenes tour at CenturyLink Stadium with Seahawks staff member Dean Riddle who grew up right in Invercargill! Every year there is a small tradition for the MCOW President to hold a smaller dinner with teachers and chaperones going to New Zealand in February with the current COTW Teachers. This year's dinner conversation highlighted & celebrated how much we value each and every person who has been a part of this program... thank you to the hundreds if to thousands of adults who have taken time out of their schedules to host, plan & prepare over the last 30 years; local individuals and businesses who generously donate to our sponsorships, auction and holiday bazaar participation; and, our appreciation for Tacoma Public Schools and numerous Meeker Middle School staff and teachers who love this program and support the longevity and continuation of this opportunity for students. Another year of amazing memories - We will miss them all!
Teachers: Jane Mika & Char Payne
Chaperones: Kelly Bavin, Nicola Marwick, Andrew Spencer, Stacy McNaught
James Hargest Students: Hayley, Struan, Niall, Daniel, Emma, Jian, Dylan, Roland, Brady, Keita, Paige, Caleb, Brooke, Brooklynn, and Logan
This experience would have not been possible without the generosity of our 2019 American Host family community:
USA Host Students: Lauren, Jack, Marina, Carlito, Owen, Erika, Benjamin, Christian, Seth, Aiden, Beth, Sedona, Ryder, Addison, Morgan, Otto, Elle, and Sofia.
Host Adults included Robert & April Fenton, Loren & Jill Ellingson, Dorothy & Mike Thompson, Sandy & Jim Vaughn.
After an amazing first week in California, our Hosting families welcomed our New Zealand friends to Tacoma on Friday, September 20th. Many of us already had connections to our guests so the airport was filled with a combination of hugs & tears, yet nervous new hellos for those who were meeting in person for first time. At the Welcome Assembly, COTW presented a beautiful gift to the administration of Meeker Middle School, as well as the traditional "teddy bear" exchange symbolizing our long history together. A jam packed 3 weeks was filled with field trips, events and average American fun for these students and adults. Several favorites included a visit to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, the Halloween party, and a rare behind scenes tour at CenturyLink Stadium with Seahawks staff member Dean Riddle who grew up right in Invercargill! Every year there is a small tradition for the MCOW President to hold a smaller dinner with teachers and chaperones going to New Zealand in February with the current COTW Teachers. This year's dinner conversation highlighted & celebrated how much we value each and every person who has been a part of this program... thank you to the hundreds if to thousands of adults who have taken time out of their schedules to host, plan & prepare over the last 30 years; local individuals and businesses who generously donate to our sponsorships, auction and holiday bazaar participation; and, our appreciation for Tacoma Public Schools and numerous Meeker Middle School staff and teachers who love this program and support the longevity and continuation of this opportunity for students. Another year of amazing memories - We will miss them all!
Teachers: Jane Mika & Char Payne
Chaperones: Kelly Bavin, Nicola Marwick, Andrew Spencer, Stacy McNaught
James Hargest Students: Hayley, Struan, Niall, Daniel, Emma, Jian, Dylan, Roland, Brady, Keita, Paige, Caleb, Brooke, Brooklynn, and Logan
This experience would have not been possible without the generosity of our 2019 American Host family community:
USA Host Students: Lauren, Jack, Marina, Carlito, Owen, Erika, Benjamin, Christian, Seth, Aiden, Beth, Sedona, Ryder, Addison, Morgan, Otto, Elle, and Sofia.
Host Adults included Robert & April Fenton, Loren & Jill Ellingson, Dorothy & Mike Thompson, Sandy & Jim Vaughn.
2019 COTW New Zealand, 2019 MCOW Hosting, and 2020 MCOW Ambassadors!
On Saturday, August 17 the local Applebee's was filled with laughter, catching up with neighbors and the smells of a yummy breakfast! Our 2019 Hosting families hosted this fundraiser for the various costs associated with the events we provide to our New Zealand guests every Fall. We are grateful for Applebee's offering a fun way to bond together with our community while also raising funds.
On behalf of the 22 local families hosting this year, we THANK YOU for coming out to support our Meeker Citizens of the World program!
On behalf of the 22 local families hosting this year, we THANK YOU for coming out to support our Meeker Citizens of the World program!
Questions regarding our Hosting Program may be directed to mcowhosting@gmail.com.
