We loved having you!

For 16-year-old Akino Jomaru the best part about coming to Barrhead was making friends and memories.

“It was fun. I want to come back,” she smiled.

Ken Eda, 17, feels the same way. So does his stomach, which is full of tasty Canadian fare, including steaks and burgers.

“Great food,” laughed Ken, patting his tummy.

“We made sure we fed him really well,” said host family member Deb Schembri. “He also cooked us a great meal – curry, with apples, spices and rice.”

A highlight of 16-year-old Tatsushi Kanamaru’s Barrhead experience was his visit to the high school and attending classes, while Yui Azuma will forever remember her shopping trip to West Edmonton Mall where she bought a doll.

Like Tatsushi, Reina Kyoya picked out her tour of Barrhead Composite High School as a favourite memory.

Hosting Reina were Shelley Weaver and her daughter, Catherine Jevne.

They found the 16-year-old an absolute joy to be around. During her week with them, Reina’s personality blossomed – not only did she play piano and bass guitar, and participate in air hockey, she also cooked a wonderful curry with apple and honey.

“I liked it here very much,” said Reina.

The five students spoke during an emotional farewell dinner last Thursday at the Multi-Purpose Room.

They were part of a seven-strong delegation from Barrhead’s twin town of Tokoro, which arrived here on Friday, March 7 for a breathless week that included a hayride at John Kippers’ farm north of Neerlandia, tours of Barrhead landmarks and curling with homestay families. The other two members were teacher Takahito Narita and interpreter Miwa Nakadai; both have been to Barrhead before.

Among those present at the farewell were Town and County councillors, BCHS associate principal Karen Fischer and Grant Widdup, assistant secretary treasurer at Pembina Hills school division.

Also there was BCHS student Sarah Wilson, who has family ties with the Japanese city of Hiroshima, and helped chaperone her Tokoro peers.

After supper, Town councillor and chair of the twinning committee Shelley Oswald thanked the delegation for coming and said she hoped they enjoyed their visit.

Barrhead Mayor Gerry St. Pierre wished the group a safe journey home.

“Continue to communicate with us as your friends,” he said.

Deputy Reeve Doug Drozd, speaking on behalf of Barrhead County Council, said he hoped the delegation had had a wonderful time.

The lights were then switched off for Sarah Wilson’s power point presentation on the visit.

There were pictures of the tour of BCHS – including the construction lab, mechanics lab and drama theatre – the library, day care centre and Hillcrest Lodge.

Next it was Nakadai’s turn to take the microphone.

She hailed the importance of Tokoro’s relationship with Barrhead, and thanked people here for their hospitality.

Grant Widdup, speaking on behalf of Pembina Hills trustees and Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt, said he hoped Barrhead’s guests had enjoyed themselves.

He then asked them to come forward and receive gifts – likening the presentation to an Olympics medal ceremony.

The gifts were from PHRD and BCHS, he said.

At the end of the evening, the delegation returned the favour, handing gifts to people filing out of the room.

It was also an occasion for photographs, hugs and more kind words.

The delegation returned to Japan last Friday, having helped to ensure ties between Tokoro and Barrhead are stronger than ever.