Elaine Kirchner, one of the founders of the Montebello-Ashiya, Japan Sister City agreement nearly 50 years ago, is being honored for her work in the Sister City program by having an annual scholarship named for her that is given to a student ambassador in the program. Pictured with Kirchner, from left, are Byron de Arakal and Norm Witt of Cook Hill Properties, which is the founding donor of the scholarship; Edgar Morales of Bank of the West; Carlos Haro, Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association; and Dr. Eugene Odou.
Story Created:
Aug 19, 2010 at 11:22 AM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 19, 2010 at 11:22 AM PST
MONTEBELLO — In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City agreement, a scholarship has been established in honor of one its founders, Elaine Kirchner, to be awarded to a student ambassador of the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Exchange Program.
Elected to the Montebello City Council in 1958, Kirchner made the first contact with Ashiya, Japan, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Montebello sister city program in 1961.
Chosen by the council to attend the Japanese/American Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Officials in 1959 in Osaka, Japan, Kirchner, the only woman delegate at the conference, took with her word that Montebello was interested in a sister city. Upon her return, she informed the council that the city of Ashiya was also interested.
“The establishment of our sister city program with Ashiya is an accomplishment of which I am very proud,” Kirchner said.
“Elaine is one of Montebello’s true visionaries,” said Lod Cook, chief executive officer of Cook Hill Properties. “As the architect of the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association, she had the foresight to recognize the importance of cross cultural awareness and understanding in the development of Montebello's youth. As a founding donor of the Elaine Kirchner Scholarship, Cook Hill Properties is pleased to honor Elaine and the Sister City Association for their important work in fostering a lasting friendship between the citizens of Montebello and the people of Ashiya, Japan.”
In recognition of the continued friendship between the two cities, Montebello dedicated Ashiya Park in 1972.
According to Sister City Association President Carlos Manuel Haro, three students from Montebello are selected to represent the association and Montebello as ambassadors each year. As part of the student exchange program begun in 1964, two ambassadors travel to Ashiya, while one remains in Montebello to act as a host ambassador to student ambassadors from Ashiya.
Since its inception, almost 200 Montebello and Ashiya ambassadors have participated in the exchange program.
“Apart from travel support, the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association also grants three scholarships to encourage the continuing education of Montebello youth,” Haro said.
Beginning in 2011, one of the scholarships for a student selected to travel to Ashiya will be named the Elaine Kirchner Scholarship.
“On behalf of the board and members of the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association, our thanks to Cook Hill Properties for its generous donation of $2,000 and for lending support to our educational initiatives and the creation of the Elaine Kirchner Scholarship,” Haro said. “By establishing a scholarship in the name of Elaine Kirchner, the Montebello-Ashiya Sister City Association and the greater Montebello community will give proper recognition to the founder of the international sister city agreement.”
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