The City of Foley has formed a partnership with Hennef, Germany, marked by the completion of their first student delegate exchange.
At a recent Foley City Council meeting, returning Foley High …
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The City of Foley has formed a partnership with Hennef, Germany, marked by the completion of their first student delegate exchange.
At a recent Foley City Council meeting, returning Foley High School students and their chaperones shared highlights from their transformative journey.
During their visit to Hennef, the students stayed with host families, attended local schools and explored Cologne, Bonn and other locations. They enjoyed visits to castles, cathedrals, chocolate factories and bakeries. A notable highlight was their meeting with Mayor Klaus Pipke at Hennef City Hall.
Following their time in Hennef, the group toured Munich, including visits to the Dachau concentration camp and Neuschwanstein Castle. The students reported warm hospitality from their host families and citizens, with many forming lifelong connections. According to the students, it was a life-changing experience.
Chaperone Kylee Raulerson, executive director of the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Hennef hosts.
"I was overwhelmed by their kindness. It was amazing," she said.
Linda B. Spangrud, executive director of Foley Sister Cities, thanked Mayor Ralph Hellmich and city council for their support.
"We could not do it without you. Travel opens your mind to other cultures and enables you to paint the palette of your life in more colors."
Spangrud also highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as a pen pal program between Foley and Hennef fifth-graders and an international, intergenerational cookbook project. The cookbook, featuring recipes in both German and English, will be available for purchase by the public.
Other partnerships in culture, art and sports tourism are also being discussed.
The Foley Sister Cities Commission will host the annual "Foley Sister Cities 5K Oktoberfest Run" on Saturday, Oct. 5, at OWA Parks & Resort. The fundraiser, starting at 9 a.m., will support initiatives such as the recipe book and future student exchanges. Participants are encouraged to dress in German Oktoberfest costumes, with beer and pretzels available.
Michael Roy, a teacher at Foley High School, emphasized the importance of the program.
"At the heart of this program is building relationships," Roy said. "I feel confident in saying we did more than that – we built families."
