CHANDLER-TULLAMORE SISTER CITIES

Representing the Sister Cities of Chandler, Arizona and Tullamore, Ireland

P.O. Box 1474 ● Chandler, AZ 85244-1474 ● www.chandlerirish.org

CHANDLER, ARIZONA - TULLAMORE, IRELAND SISTER CITIES MISSION STATEMENT

To cultivate and maintain a strong reciprocal relationship between the cities of Chandler, Arizona and Tullamore, Ireland

to encourage: Cultural Understanding, Community Involvement, Economic Development and Educational Exchanges

RESULTS: Chandler Young Authors & Artists Showcase

A Reception was held at the Vision Art Gallery in Historic Downtown Chandler to celebrate the students who submitted

artworks, essays and poems to the 2012 Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities Young Authors & Artists Showcase. The 2012

theme is "Youth as the Catalyst for Change." The Chandler students were challenged to convey through essay, poetry or art

to express how communication, technology and individual initiative can lead to dramatic social change.

Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities Education Chair, Barbara Olivieri, was excited that the number of entries for 2012 far

surpassed the 2011 Showcase, and that expansion of this program will contribute to the recognition of the association with

Chandler's Irish Sister City, Tullamore, in County Offaly. "We have Showcase winners who go to school in Chandler, live in

Chandler, mentioned the Sister City program in their art and written submissions, who are Native Americans, who are

international students from Korea studying in Chandler, and who live in the Sister City of Tullamore, Ireland," she

stated. "This kind of participation is truly what the International Sister City program is all about!" All entries may be viewed

on the website, www.chandlerirish.org.

Winner of the Essay Competition is Alyssa Garcia, a Junior at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, whose essay title is

"Gaining Momentum." In her essay, she stated, "Youth are now using the abundance of resources around them to be

leaders of today and tomorrow within their communities." Other winners include Nathan Skotak (2nd Place), Cole Zernich

(3rd Place), and Jack Harrington (Honorable Mention).

Winner of the Art Competition is Genevieve Leach, a Freshman at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School. Her artwork,

entitled "Waterfall of Change," depicts "an explosion of color representing different forces reflecting the waterfall effect

when you participate in change." She says that "Everything starts with one force, and then multiplies to affect so many

more people." Other winners include Sarah McBryan (2nd Place), Jiwon Kim (3rd Place), and Colleen Murry (Honorable

Mention).

The Chandler Poetry winner is Rachel Beglin, a student at Hamilton High School. Rachel's poem, entitled "Empowered,"

concluded with "Though they may come from different places and speak with different accents; everyone smiles in the

same language." Other Chandler winners include Lauren Kaiser (2nd Place), Raymie Humbert (3rd Place), Carly Cabel

(Honorable Mention), and Anna Schwab (Honorable Mention).

This year we had a winning International Poetry entry from our Sister City! Saidhbhe Cullen, a student of Sacred Heart High

School in Tullamore, Ireland, submitted "I Am the Voice of the Youth." Her lines, "I am exposed to the world, Creating

global change from, Yesterday's personal letters To today's digital world," truly encompasses the theme of the

Showcase. Saidhbhe and her 3 sisters visited Chandler in March, bringing their musical talents and entertaining the

students at Seton Catholic, and making friendships with the students - and contacts for future visits!

The Showcase is associated with the Education Program of Sister Cities International (SCI). The winning essay,

poems, and artwork from Chandler is submitted to the International competition for a chance to win the overall

competition and be featured at the SCI Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Florida in July 2012.

We especially thank our partner, Vision Art Gallery, and owner, Eric Faulhaber, for allowing us to showcase our students'

works for the evening. Many attendees continued on to the monthly Chandler ArtWalk - a very enjoyable evening!

For further information about Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, please visit our website, www.chandlerirish.org, or contact

Ellen Harrington, President at chan.to.tull@gmail.com, or (480) 600-8509.