KAKEHASHI Project Closing Celebration

    On March 24, Ridgeview Charter Middle School in Fulton County, GA held a closing celebration for participants of the KAKEHASHI Project visiting from Chienkan High School in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

    Ridgeview Charter Middle School principal Lisa Hastey gave a warm welcome to all the students of Chienkan High School and expressed her delight that Ridgeview was able to host this event.

    Riverwood International Charter School Principal Robert Shaw said it was an invaluable experience for students from his school to participate in the KAKEHASHI Project in developing their own sense of international awareness, and expressed his thanks to all those involved with the project.

    Next, CG Sunaga expressed gratitude to all of the people who helped make the event possible. He stressed the importance of face-to-face interactions in fostering a deeper mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. especially in an age where the internet makes instant connection effortless. He conveyed his hope that a strong friendship would be established through this program between the participants who are the future leaders of Japan and the United States.

    Finally, Dr. Gregory Barfield from the Georgia Department of Education spoke about the strong Japanese program that has been established in Fulton County. Currently more than 1/3 of the Japanese language learners in Georgia are in Fulton County and he hopes the students will continue to be successful.

    Afterwords, special KAKEHASHI Project t-shirts were presented to all of the Japanese students from Chienkan High School as a memento of the visit.