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Sister City Gotha Germany
Gotha 2008 Updates
New Pictures from Gotha! The pictures are from the students' outing to the West-West boderline museum Moedlareuth. Today, June 12, they will visit the WWII concentration camp, Buchenwald and will also visit the City of Weimar. Simon Roe, their chaperone, took their picture and accompanies them throughout their adventures
In front: Eddie Laughman, Rotary Exchange Student from Gastonia for the 2007-2008 school year in Gotha.
Left to right;
First Row : Samantha Sloand, Shelton Current, Brook Conrad, Colleen Fisher
Second Row: David Iezzi, Katie Worley, Hannah Anderson, Trey Whitesides, Nick Wiseman
Third Row: Abigail Isom, Hunter Hoag
"They have arrived, the 2008 German Sister City students from Gastonia arrived in Gotha safe and sound and are ready for a big time!!!!
Gotha 2007 Update
2007 Gastonia Sister Cities Student Ambassadors first day in Sister City, Gotha Germany, June 11. This year 10 students participated in the German Language classes since last October; they represented Forestview High School, Hunter Huss High school, Ashbrook High School, Gaston Day and Gaston Christian. Sunny Roe served as chaprone for the group. The group participated in school activities at the Arnoldischule Gymnasium. They also visited Dresden during their stay. The group returned on June 23.
About Gotha
- Located in the middle of Germany, in the "state" of Thuringia
- Town noted for:
- science and learning
- handicrafts and commerce
- home to the first fire insurance company
- first commercial college in Germany
- Town hall dates to 1572
- Market square dates from 1666
- Friedenstein Palace:
- overlooks the City
- now serves as a museum
- 17th century building
- 2000 windows adorn the palace
- slate roof
- Leina canal, built in 1369, brought drinking water into the town from nearby mountains.
- The Museum of Natural History, built in 1879, is located across the plaza from the palace.
Gotha - Germany Exchange
Each year a very select group of high school students embark on a trip of a lifetime. They attend German language classes at night during the school year in preparation for a trip to Gotha, Germany during the summer. They learn the German language, culture and history.
This is one of the most successful programs offered by Gastonia Sister Cities. Student exchanges have been offered yearly since 1995-96 when 50 students visited Gotha for the first exchange. Now many of the original students have made German a part of their careers and continue their friendship that were made so many years ago. Three german language students have chosen to continue their German exchange by becoming Rotary exchange students.
"I loved it; it's the best thing I have ever done. The trip made going to the classes worth it."
Jennifer Messer, 16, Juior at Forestview
Young Artist Competition
Language Classes
Oktoberfest
Volunteer Opportunities
Membership
A message from the President
Visit Charlotte Sister Cities
Young Artist Competition
Each fall, Gastonia Sister Cities contacts the area High Schools and Middle Schools with the opportunity to participate in an art contest sponsored by Sister Cities International. One winning piece is paired with a winning piece from our Sister Cities and competes on an international level. Look for information in your Art Classes in late September. Top prize is $100 to the student and Art teacher.
The 2008 Young Artist information will be distributed soon.
Contact Juliann Lehman, 704-854-6602, if you do
not have an Art Class and want to participate.
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2008 Theme - Upcoming
Information will be sent to all Gaston County schools and publicized through local media. Young artists must be ages 13 through 18. Contact the Sister Cities office for additional requirements and information.
Language Classes
Gastonia Sister Cities offers German language classes
- Classes meet once per week for the purpose of training 9th-12th graders to serve as student ambassadors.
- Applications to this class are competitive and are available through guidance counselors at area high school.
- Classes will begin in October.
- Trip to Germany will be in June.
- Cost is based on airfare and extra side trips.
For more information and an application,
call Juliann Lehman
at 704-854-6602 or email juliannl@cityofgastonia.com
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Volunteer Opportunities
Gastonia Sister Cities Needs You!
- Hosting Visitors
- Special Events
- Meal Hosts
- Photographer
- Clerical Help
- Transportation
- Translating
Call Juliann Lehman,
at 704-854-6602 and volunteer today or email the following
information to juliannl@cityofgastonia.com
Name
Address
Area of Interest
Phone or email
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Oktoberfest
For information or tickets, call 704-854-6602
Oktoberfest is a celebration of the German heritage of the Gaston County region celebrated in October
with German and American foods, beverages and music! Oktoberfest is sponsored by the City of Gastonia.
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Host Information
Host foreign visitors and see the world!
Gastonia Sister Cities hosts visitors throughout
the year from Germany and occasionally other foreign countries.
Usually, these visitors speak English, and want to experience
American lifestyles. If you would be willing to share your
home with one of our guests, we'd love to sign you up as
a host home! Hosting is an opportunity to experience another
culture from your own living room!
For more information, please contact
Juliann Lehman
Phone: 704.854.6602
Fax: 704.854.6683
juliannl@cityofgastonia.com
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Membership Information
Membership in the Gastonia Sister Cities
program is open to any person, business or organization
intrested in promoting and fostering the aims of the organization.
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