SMU to host daily web updates of Japan trip

WINONA, Minn. — A contingent of Winona community members and students are traveling to Winona’s sister city, Misato, Japan, April 16-23.

Traveling to the East are 25 Winona middle and senior high school students, along with their parent/chaperones and WSHS assistant principal Kelly Sonsalla. Also attending are Winona City Councilman Tim Breza and Terrie Lueck, parent of a WSHS student and director of conferencing and camps at Saint Mary’s University.

Lueck will post live daily updates on a “Messages from Misato” website, located at www.smumn.edu/japan. Each day she will make a long distance call from Japan to Winona to leave messages, which can be heard on your computer or MP3 player. Also on the site are links to more information about Misato.

The trip, sponsored by District 861 and the City of Winona, will feature sightseeing, celebrations and ceremonies, as well as real-life experiences. Participants will come to a broader understanding of the culture of our sister city. Students will be placed in homes, where they will experience day-to-day life with their host families. Additionally, the group will watch sumo wrestling, visit temples, museums and a strawberry farm. A gift exchange and a new sister-city signing ceremony will take place at the Misato city hall as well.

A group of Misato delegates visited Winona in March. The group was hosted by SMU, where they participated in a fun night filled with swimming, ice skating and basketball. They also visited the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and went to a Timberwolves game.

Check the website daily to experience this unique trip along with the group.