Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Four students heading to Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, this summer
Courtesy Gilbert Sister Cities
From left, Keilani George, Sydney Younce, Claire Hall and Kelly Conway will be the 2024 Gilbert Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors to Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
Posted
Following a four-month selection process, Gilbert Sister Cities has selected four high school juniors to serve as 2024 Youth Ambassadors.
After hosting students from Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, in their homes in June, Kelly Conway, Keilani George, Claire Hall, and Sydney Younce will spend a few weeks in Antrim-Newtownabbey in July.
“The 2024 Youth Ambassador candidates spent the last six months completing numerous essays, taking part in both group and individual interviews, interacting with Gilbert Sister Cities board members and business community members at social events, visiting local businesses to gather donations for a silent auction, washing cars, and attending three skill-building clinics led by community leaders,” Lori Schuermann, Gilbert Sister Cities board member and Chair of the Youth Ambassador program, said in a release.
“Kelly, Keilani, Claire, and Sydney have excelled throughout the selection process, and we are confident they will do an outstanding job representing Gilbert at home and abroad.”
Conway, who attends Highland High School, is involved in tech theatre and founded the Art Club at her school. She also volunteers with her church youth group. Conway also has a holiday popcorn and hot chocolate business, donating all earnings to the Make-A-Wish foundation each year.
George attends Campo Verde High School and participates in many activities, including volunteering with Key Club and Biomedical Science Club, Girl Scouts, and is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. After high school, she plans to pursue a career in cytogenetics.
Hall attends Gilbert High School and is involved with the aesthetics program at EVIT and her school’s Giving Closet. Outside school, she volunteers with organizations like St. Mary’s Foodbank and Feed My Starving Children.
Younce, who attends Gilbert High School, swims competitively, participates in several skill-building camps, and volunteers for various organizations. She also serves as an ambassador for LifeSmart Education and enjoys listening to music and playing DND with friends. Once she graduates, Younce plans to pursue degrees in forensic science and forensic psychology.
Before beginning the student exchange, Gilbert Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors participate in the Gilbert Global Village Festival and receive cultural and protocol training for Northern Ireland.
After returning, they participate in the Gilbert Days Parade, visit schools and youth programs to share information about the program and serve as mentors for the next group of candidates.
Gilbert Sister Cities will begin accepting applications for 2025 in the fall; any junior living in Gilbert or attending a Gilbert or Higley school is welcome to apply.
