IHS trio packs for trip to Germany | Family News

Three Ilwaco High School students are gearing up for a trip to Germany.

Juniors Alexandrea Carper, Brendan Chabot and Tristan Trudell will join 22 Astoria students visiting their sister city, Walldorf.

The link came about because Carper attends the same church as a longtime family friend, Jim Pierce, a law enforcement professional in Clatsop County, who has lead the Astoria High School project for 15 years.

“I’ve always had an interest in international travel, so when I learned Jim was running the Walldorf Exchange Program, I knew I wanted to go,” said Carper. “I am over-the-moon excited!”

Pierce had previously extended an opportunity to neighboring school districts and a Naselle student had participated on one recent trip. He was happy to include Carper and suggested she recruit up to two friends.

Pierce’s involvement began when he chaperoned a trip years ago. “I fell in love with it and have been going back each year ever since,” he said.

Astoria and Walldorf have been sister cities since 1963, linked because Lord Astor, who financed the expeditions that led to Astoria’s founding, was based in the German city.

Their high schools’ partnership has flourished in recent years.

For one week in the fall, Astoria students host a couple of dozen Walldorf students in their homes. The American students travel to Germany in the spring to stay with a Walldorf family, where they attend school, experience a new culture, and represent their country as student ambassadors.

The itinerary March 19 to March 30 features sightseeing in Munich, including bicycling around the city,

Article source: https://www.chinookobserver.com/news/community/ihs-trio-packs-for-trip-to-germany/article_aaef2cf8-2d73-11e9-9996-dfabc9cb351a.html