Gilbert, (March 6, 2017) – Gilbert Sister Cities announces this year’s winners of its annual high school youth exchange to Leshan, China and Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.

The high school youth exchange program offers juniors in high school who reside in Gilbert or are a student in a Gilbert or Higley school, an opportunity to develop an understanding of different countries, their cultures and people. The high school delegates are chosen by a committee through a selection process, which includes group interviews, a series of individual interviews and informal gatherings with both the students and their parents. The students travel to our sister city for approximately three weeks. During their stay they will have a chance to closely experience a new culture and make lifelong friends by living with the family of their exchange “brother or sister.” The home hosted experience makes it possible for the delegates to learn about their host cultures and customs in ways not available to a casual visitor. The Gilbert delegates will bring back a wealth of fascinating stories about their stay abroad, their contacts with the people and the precious experiences, which teach them lifelong lessons.

This year Lauren Smith and Nathan Greenlee, both from Camp Verde High School, will be visiting China. Elizabeth Curtis of Campo Verde High School has been selected as an alternate.

• Lauren Smith is active in: Tri-M music honor society, Link Crew, Advanced Women’s Chorale, Girl Scouts, Linked Out, Paws for a Cause, Community outreach. Her hobbies include: Music, Travel, Family • Nathan Greenlee is active in: Link Crew, Math Club, Spanish Honors Society, Wind Ensemble (Band), Member of Arizona Arsenal (soccer), Physics Club, Varsity Soccer Team. His hobbies include: Soccer, Engineering, Playing music • Elizabeth Curtis is active in: National Honors Society, Tri-M Music Honors, Math Club, Book Club (secretary), School Orchestra (Concertmaster/first chair), Youth Symphony of the Southwest, Perfect Fourth Quartet. Her hobbies include: Violin, Reading, Crafting, Soccer

Bryson Jones of Mesquite High School and Adison McIntosh from Campo Verde High School will be visiting Northern Ireland. Maddie Law of Highland High School has been selected as an alternate.

• Bryson Jones is active in: Speech and Debate, Mayors Youth Advisory Committee, National Honor Society, Student Leadership Committee, Boy Scouts. His Hobbies include: Reading, History, Politics, Hiking Legos. • Adison (Adie) McIntosh is active in: Future Farmers of America, Best Buddies, , Special Olympics Track and Field for Chandler, Volunteer every summer at Millie’s Assisted Living in Silver City, NM. Her Hobbies include: Raising animals, Learning about Agriculture, Languages, World traditions. • Maddie Law is active in: Volley Ball, Sand , Orchestra. Her Hobbies include: Reading, Baking, , roller blading, hiking, bike riding, Spending time with family.

Gilbert Sister Cities is a community supported, non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and stimulating economic development opportunities for the youth, adults, businesses and organizations of the Town of Gilbert through mutually beneficial international partnerships.