Sequim Gazette staff

This classroom shares a deep connection with Sequim — but is half a world away.

The Sequim-Shiso Sister City Student Exchange 2014 is open to Sequim-area high school-aged students for opportunity to explore Shiso’s vibrant culture, landscapes and architecture while opening friendship opportunities as students represent Sequim as cultural ambassadors.

The Sequim-Shiso Sister City Association is planning for the annual student exchange with Sequim’s sister city, Shiso, Japan, for October. A select group of students (from freshman, sophomore or junior classes as of October) travel to Japan for tours of Tokyo and Kyoto and a four-night home stay in Shiso.

There will be two informational meetings for current eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students and parents at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, and Thursday, March 13, in the Sequim School District boardroom, 503 N. Sequim Ave.

To be considered to participate in the program, students need to attend one of the meetings with at least one parent and submit an application by April 15.

Interested students can acquire applications for the program at both meetings or by sending an e-mail to Annette Hanson at Annette_Hanson@msn.com or Anne Houghton at AMHoughton@nikola.com.

For more information, call Hanson at 670-6774 or Houghton at 683-1440.