Scottsdale Sister Citites

Photo by Lisa E White

Outside of Scottdale City Hall is a sign commemorating Scottsdale's Sister Cities.  As of March 2012, Marrakech, Morocco has been added as our sixth Sister City.  The first Moroccan student exchange is taking place this week with five students and one teacher visiting for nine days staying with Scottdale families.  Students have attended Desert Mountain High School, Chaparral High School, and Friday will attend Arcadia for homecoming festivities.  In addition, today they met with Mayor Jim Lane, toured the Civic Center and Old Town and went to the Heard Museum.  The students had a cowboy experience with line dancing at Handlebar J's, went to the Musical Instrument Museum, and will go to the Grand Canyon on Saturday.  Scottsdale is also has partnered with Alamos, Mexico; Kingston, Canada; Cairns, Australia; Interlaken, Switzerland; and Haikou, China.  "The Sisterhood of Cities leads to the brotherhood of people."  Begun by Eisenhower in the 50's, this understanding of cultures is still much needed today.