Hillcrest Intermediate School Hosts
15 VISITING STUDENTS FROM CHINA
A group photo of the 15 visiting
Chinese students and their
Hillcrest “buddies” at a farewell
ceremony. Front, L-R: Jiang
Ziheng (Teddy), Sun Xiaohan
(Lydia), Ma Xiujin (Jennifer),
Huang Jingran (Fairy), Hu
Sitong (Robbin), Li Ao (Leo),
Zhang Yibao (Jerry), Zhao
Xukun (Allan), Liu Zirui (Daniel),
Yuan Nasen (Nathan), Zhang
Jiarui (Jerry), Fu Xiwen (Amy),
Ren Keyan (Amy), and Xu Jiayu
(Lucky). Back, L-R: Jake Quaka,
Maia McIntyre, Paighton Gill,
Aubree Spiering, Harrison
Melegari, Seth Owens, Mark
Fariss, DJ Kaminsky, Nathan
Bazala, Ian Gill, Evan Gribar,
Annie Czajkowski, Riley Miller,
Carsyn Stanley, and Kalaina
Phetsomphou.
H
illcrest Intermediate School hosted 15 students and
two teachers from China for three weeks as part of an
international educational exchange called the Youth
Ambassador Program. The Chinese visitors’ trip included
educational tours of New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh, and
Philadelphia, but their stay in Norwin School District was the focal
point of their journey before returning to China.
They stayed with Norwin host families and participated
in regular academic programs and daily schedules. Norwin
teachers Mr. Thomas Swenson (Youth
Ambassador Program Coordinator) and
Mrs. Trisha Brunazzi were an integral part
of the visitation of Chinese students and
activities at Hillcrest Intermediate School.
The Chinese students are from the
Tianjian Primary School in Shenzhen,
which is a modern, high-tech city in
southern China with a population of
12.9 million. IFA-EDU CHINA, or the
International Foundation Alliance,
organized their visit.
In September, three Norwin educators
traveled to Shenzhen, China, to promote
teacher and student communications, educational and cultural
exchanges, and collaboration to develop global awareness
for teacher exchanges and study. They included Mr. Swenson,
Mrs. Brunazzi, and Superintendent Dr. William Kerr. The trio of
educators made presentations at eight Chinese schools. The
teachers taught a STEM-related lesson, which included hands-
on activities and project-based learning. Mr. Swenson and Mrs.
Brunazzi visited the Great Wall of China and its museum, as well
as a visit to Hong Kong and the Forbidden City in Beijing. Dr. Kerr
had several business and education meetings, learning more
about IFA-EDU China educational and cultural programs. He
also toured STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Math) centers and other educational entities in Shenzhen, China,
including the Shenzhen Bureau of Education Headquarters.
The educators’ trip to China was funded by IFA-EDU China,
which also provided stipends to Norwin host families once
32
NORWIN
program evaluations are completed. District officials are
considering future collaborations with IFA-EDU China.
“Welcoming the Chinese students into our school and
community has been a rewarding experience,” Mr. Swenson
said. “When we have the opportunity to broaden our global
perspective, the benefits are endless for all involved.”
Prior to attending classes at Hillcrest Intermediate School,
Chinese students and teachers participated in STEM-related
lessons and activities at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit
at its Center for Innovation and Creativity in Education (Center
ICE). They also participated in English Language Arts lessons
taught by Mr. Swenson and Dr. Tracey Czajkowski. The students
also experienced a martial arts lesson from Bill Viola at Allegheny
Shotokan Karate in an experience hosted by Barb and Bill Viola.
A local business leader funded an educational field trip to the
Carnegie Science Center for the students.
Finally, Chinese students and their Hillcrest “buddy” students,
along with teacher and parent chaperones, participated in a
culminating educational/environmental field trip to Buttermilk
Falls, Clarion County,
for a variety of outdoor
activities. The Pennsylvania
Game Commission made a
presentation about wildlife
and offered a display of animal
trophies. The Buttermilk
Falls trip was funded by Jan
and Robert Perkins, and was
hosted by Marsha and Gene
Rayman.
At a farewell ceremony for
the Chinese students, Hillcrest
Principal Mr. Brian O’Neil
and Assistant Principal Mr. Troy Collier presented certificates
to the students acknowledging their completion of the Youth
Ambassador Program. They were joined by Dr. Kerr, Mr. Swenson,
and Mrs. Brunazzi, as well as each of the Chinese students’
Hillcrest “buddies.”