FWISD HONORED BY SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL

Fort Worth, TX (December 4, 2012) – The Fort Worth Independent School District has been awarded the 2012 Eisenhower Award for Organizational Involvement as presented by Fort Worth Sister Cities International. The Eisenhower Award is presented annually to an organization that consistently supports Sister Cities’ activities both financially and with involvement.

“Our long-term partnership with Fort Worth ISD was developed with a cooperative spirit to promote international education,” said Sister Cities Board Chairman Brad Mahon. “Fort Worth ISD has provided exceptional teachers as delegation leaders, allowed us to utilize schools and classrooms for local programs, and hosted thousands of international students in their elementary, middle and high schools.” 

In addition, Fort Worth ISD teacher Cody Cox has been named Volunteer of the Year. Cody teaches German at Arlington Heights High School. Zackery Hiroshi Kurima, a senior at Arlington Heights High School, has been named Youth Volunteer of the Year.

 Zack has been involved with Sister Cities since the 6th grade and has consistently demonstrated his commitment and leadership skills.  He has been a role model promoting cultural understanding.  His participation includes:

·        Hosting students for 7 years

·        Attending International Leadership Academy 4 yrs

·        Youth Ambassador to Toluca

·        Harashin Scholar to Nagaoka

·        Delegate on inaugural exchange to Guiyang, China

·        And will travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy this year.  

Cody has been instrumental in the success of the Ambassador High School Program between Fort Worth and Germany, as well as Indonesia. He has led the summer Texas Leadership Week for students from Toluca, Mbabane, Trier and Bandung. Between heading the language dept. for his school, and completing his masters, Cody makes time for Sister Cities by serving as youth chair on the Trier committee, home hosting, promoting programs in school, and leading student exchanges to Japan and Germany.  

Since 1985, the Fort Worth Sister Cities organization has been in the forefront of Sister Cities’ leadership, recognized nationally and internationally for its far-reaching, innovative model programs. Its continuously expanding international network now includes eight sister cities.

>> View Photo Gallery

-FWISD-

Follow Fort Worth ISD on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about the District