Content about Japan

02.04.11

Avonworth High School will host a series of informal discussions to develop international connections and awareness of global neighbors during “Global Evenings at Avonworth” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10.

The features speakers are Frank Li, founding member, Pittsburgh China Chamber of Commerce; Annie Macher Prucey, vice president, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh; and Donna Lee Siple, executive director, Japan-America Society of Pittsburgh.

The topic is “Pittsburgh’s Growing Connections to East Asia; Partnerships with China and Japan.”

08.05.11

A new app for a classic game

Aidan Sommers of Ben Avon, age 10, will enter fifth grade at Avonworth Elementary School this year. He's on the Avonworth and Baierl YMCA swim teams, plays soccer, and enjoys activities typical of friends his age.

An ordinary kid in every way, except one.

He and his dad, Bob, have just put the finishing touches on an iPhone game app that, if all goes well, would finance his college education through a post-doctoral degree.

A pause here for anyone who has not succumbed to tech terms.

App…an application.

04.08.11

Students make cranes for Japan

Rallying to the slogan," Get involved! Make paper cranes! Rebuild communities!," members of Avonworth's International Club, along with other students in the building and community members, are creating a response to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Sendai, Japan, on March 11.

The project supports the Bezos Family Foundation, which has pledged up to $200,000 to support Architecture for Humanity's reconstruction efforts in Japan. For each paper crane submitted, the foundation will donate $2 to various projects in the stricken country.

04.01.11

“Global Evening”

Avonworth High School will host its final informal discussion in the “Global Evenings at Avonworth” series at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. The topic for this April evening is “Avonworth Abroad: Study Abroad Programs.”

03.04.11

Culture shock

Holly Hunt, 16, has returned to Avonworth High School after spending a year in Japan, where she learned of a new culture and developed an appreciation for a different way of life.

The junior traveled to Niigata, Japan, where she spent 11 months as an exchange student through the American Field Service program.

The largest city on the Japan Sea coast, Niigata has a population of over a half million and is home to several cultural events throughout the year.

03.26.10

Study abroad

Avonworth sophomore Holly Hunt turned in books and wrapped up the school year a bit earlier than her classmates, traveling last Friday to Niigata, Japan where she will spend 11 months as an exchange student in the American Field Service program.

"My mom was an AFS student when she was in high school, spending time in Colombia, so she helped me with the application process," Holly said.

During her 11-month stay, Holly will live with a host family and attend school, which, she said, differs from American scheduling.

12.24.09

An early Christmas

Christmas dinner came to Bellevue a little early for Kim Roney and her sons.

And Santa came almost two weeks ahead of schedule, with presents exchanged on Dec. 13.

But the family was not rushing the season. They were just fitting everything in before Josh, 24, and Mark, 22 had to report back to their ships, Josh to the USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, and Mark to the USS Enterprise in Norfolk, VA.

The family last spent time together in August, 2008, just before Josh deployed to Japan.