Japanese Visitors Honored at Goddard Assembly

Goddard Middle School formally welcomed their Japanese guests Tuesday, Nov. 11, from sister city, Moka, Japan.

The students and faculty from Moka Higashi Junior High School were also treated to several pieces of Japanese music performed by the Goddard Middle School Orchestra.

The schools have taken part in the student exchange program for 24 years. The student delegation, with children ranging in age from 13 to 15 years old, stayed with host families during their week at Goddard.

The schools also exchanged customary school gifts at the assembly. One of the gifts Goddard gave to Moka Higashi was a base pad from the 2009 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium where Japan won the championship. The base pad was signed by the Japanese baseball team from that game.

Goddard received a traditional Japanese hand fan, among other gifts.

"The one thing I seem to hear … is that despite the obvious language barrier, is it doesn't take long to find ways to communicate. After spending time with them, middle school boys and girls in America are no different from middle school boys and girls in Japan," said Brock Jacobsen, principal of Goddard Middle School.

Jacobsen also noted one of the most beneficial aspects of the student exchange is how Goddard students are encompassing a global mindset.

"In American education now, it's about preparing students for, not only college and career readiness, but for a global marketplace. This is such an amazing opportunity to do that," Jacobsen said.

Denise Finegan and her family were hosts to male student, Hiroki. Her 7th-grade son, Liam, convinced the family to host one of the Moka Higashi students.

Finegan noted also, that despite the language barrier and some cultural differences, the children were very much alike.

"They're very similar to Americans. We had a 12-year-old boy and he loved to do the same stuff as my son. They're just like us. There is no difference," Finegan said.