Connecting Youth across the Pacific
The Little’s built the Morgan Hill Sister
Cities student exchange program from the
ground up with a focus on local middle
schools.
“We work with the schools to identify
students who, along with their families, are
interested in participating in the student
exchange program,” Judy said.
The Little’s have managed all of the
10-day student exchange trips, which
typically include six to eight students. It’s a
serious commitment on the part of every-
one involved.
“In the six months leading up to a trip,
we meet regularly with the students and
mentor them in preparation for their time
in Japan. Murv makes a video of each stu-
dent speaking on why they want to go to
Japan.
“Our students learn basic Japanese
language terms and study the culture,
customs and current events. They create a
Powerpoint presentation about Morgan Hill
and what they’d like to learn about Mizuho
during their visit. And they work on solo
and group performances that showcase
American cultural arts. Students cover the
cost of their exchange program travel and
activities through fundraising presentations
to non-profit organizations and selling
See’s Candies around various holidays.
“In Mizuho, they accompany their
Japanese host students to school,
community events, local tours and
special outings.
“Last year, our students performed
line dancing to country music and did
poetry readings as part of their formal
presentations. On a previous trip, they
performed ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’
and handed out boxes of Cracker Jack. Each
year, we try something different and guide
all of the students to participate based on
their individual skills and interests.
“Young people are like sponges,” Judy
said. “They love new things and pick up
elements of the language and customs of
other cultures very quickly.”
Judy and Murv also coordinate Morgan
Hill host families and local activities for
Japanese students visiting from Mizuho,
which runs the gamut from attending
the Freedom Fest to touring Google
headquarters in Mountain View.
“Our visiting students get to meet with
city and school board officials and non-
profits like the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs,”
Judy said. “We help them prepare questions
and encourage them to speak up, and
believe me, they do!”
Celebrating the Arts
The Little’s also oversee a cultural arts
exchange with Mizuho. In January, they
sent a number of large quilts, hand-
crafted by members of South Valley Quilt
Association. These will be displayed by the
Mizuho Quilt Guild in a brand new gallery
during their city’s annual cherry blossom
festival. In September, Japanese quilts and
textile arts from Mizuho will be featured
at the annual Harvest Quilt & Fiber Arts
Show during Taste of Morgan Hill.
Mary Ann Bruegmann, a member of the
South Valley Quilt Association, has come to
know Judy after eight years of collaborating
on the quilt and fiber arts exchange.
“It was Judy who first suggested the quilt
exchange,” Mary Ann said. “One year she
invited us to a Sister Cities meeting so we
could make a personal connection with
visiting guests from Mizuho. Judy is smart,
efficient, and has a great sense of humor.
She’s very thoughtful about making the arts
exchange meaningful and enjoyable
for everyone.”
G M