Tome - My Southlake News

The Southlake Sister Cities Student delegation returned from their annual trip to Tome, Japan in mid-June after an exciting ten-day excursion abroad. With their suitcases unpacked and jet lag finally wearing off, it’s time to relive their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This year’s delegation is the second group Southlake Sister Cities sent to Japan following a brief pause from 2020 to 2022. Six exceptional students, and their chaperone Lauren LaNeave—Deputy Director of Public Works, were selected to represent the City of Southlake in Tome, Japan for the 2024 delegation.

During their time in Japan, the group was busy integrating with their host families, touring Tome City Hall, learning about the Japanese culture, and making life-long memories. This year’s trip also included a special two-day guided tour of Tokyo before returning to Southlake. While in the capital, the group visited TeamLab Planets and the Tokyo SkyTree, the world’s tallest tower!

Here’s what this year’s students had to say:

“It was truly an honor to immerse myself in Japanese traditions and continue linking our communities together. Last year, my family and I visited Japan's bustling cities, Tokyo and Osaka. I enjoyed experiencing the city life of Japan. However, this year, I found myself being more fond of the rural nature of Tome. In Tome, I was able to make profound bonds with my host family and truly connect with the local community. I learned the importance of embracing cultural diversity and cherishing the moments of stillness in a fast-paced world. I am grateful for this experience offered through Southlake Sister Cities.”
-Braxton

“A couple of my favorite parts about the trip were learning calligraphy at the temple in Tome and going to Futopia Park. I also loved spending time with my host family. I feel like getting to live with and get to know them helped me learn a lot about Japanese culture and customs.”
Katah

“My favorite part of the trip was learning about the Japanese customs while living with the host families. I learned how to eat using Japanese customs such as saying itadakemasu before eating and drinking lots of delicious miso soup. I’m so thankful I was able to bond so well with my host family and learn about Japanese culture.”
-Sanvi

Southlake and Tome established a Sister City partnership in 1991 and have consistently sent student and adult delegations between the two cities to strengthen their relationship and promote citizen diplomacy.

Southlake Sister Cities is proud to have two sister city partnerships. The organization looks forward to continuing to send Southlake’s youth to our sister cities to represent our community overseas.

Learn more about Southlake Sister Cities and how you can get involved by visiting their website.

It has indeed been an exhilarating year for Southlake Sister Cities! Earlier this summer, our city revived its cultural exchange program by sending two Southlake high school students, accompanied by a City staff chaperone, to our Sister City, Tome, Japan. Now it's our turn to extend a warm Southlake welcome as Tome sends a student delegation to our city at the end of October.

Southlake Sister Cities is hard at work crafting an exciting and interactive itinerary that will showcase the very best our community has to offer. Simultaneously, City staff is preparing to extend a gracious welcome to our guests at Town Hall, DPS Headquarters, and The Marq Southlake.

The bond between Southlake and Japan was forged in 1991 when they became Sister Cities. Student delegations traveling between Southlake and Tome have long been the cornerstone of our cultural exchange program. While these exchanges had to be put on hold during the pandemic, 2023 marks the revival of our cultural connections! Upon returning from her trip to Tome as a staff chaperone, Deputy City Secretary, Veronica Lomas stated that her trip was "an immersion into Japanese culture with language learning. As a chaperone, I feel honored to have been a part of this amazing and unforgettable Japan trip."

The delegation from Tome, Japan, is scheduled to arrive in Southlake on Tuesday, October 31, and depart on Sunday, November 5. Southlake Sister Cities members will be hosting eight students, and two Tome city staff members will chaperone the delegation.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming our Sister City guests to our picturesque community! To discover more about Southlake Sister Cities and explore opportunities for involvement, please visit their website.

Southlake Sister Cities is busy prepping its 2023 Youth Ambassadors for their annual Tome, Japan cultural experience.

The City of Southlake and Tome, Japan, have had close ties since establishing a Sister City partnership in 1991. Since then, the two cities have hosted youth and adult delegations annually to strengthen the Sister Cities' relationship and learn more about each other’s cultures. The Youth Ambassadors trip to Tome is a competitive community-favorite opportunity for Southlake teens to represent the City abroad.

The youth ambassadors and City-appointed chaperone are immersed in a cultural experience while living with host families and enjoying a wide range of activities planned by the City, schools, and their hosts. Unfortunately, Southlake Sister Cities could not send youth ambassadors to Japan during the last three years due to the pandemic.

The City is thrilled to continue this educational tradition once again. Our youth ambassadors and City chaperone are preparing to take off toward Japan on May 29, 2023. They will spend one week learning all about Japanese culture and visiting historical landmarks.

Here’s what this year’s City chaperone Veronica Lomas had to say about her upcoming trip.

“It is an honor to chaperone the Southlake Youth Ambassadors this year, I’m sure that they will immerse themselves in a cultural and educational experience that they will remember forever!” Veronica serves as the Southlake Deputy City Secretary.

Safe travels, Sister Cities delegates! We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. Learn more about Southlake Sister Cities and how you can get involved by visiting their website.

Southlake Sister Cities is busy prepping its 2023 Youth Ambassadors for their annual Tome, Japan cultural experience.

Here’s what this year’s City chaperone Veronica Lomas had to say about her upcoming trip.

Safe travels, Sister Cities delegates! We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. Learn more about Southlake Sister Cities and how you can get involved by visiting their website.