Palmer says sayonara to Saroma delegates

PALMER — Palmer students and community members bid youth and adult delegates from Saroma, Japan farewell during a send off potluck held at Palmer High School Wednesday, Sept. 20.

"Saying goodbye, it’s kind of like the beauty of the sakura, the cherry blossom… just being really grateful for that time together," Palmer Saroma Kai President and PHS Japanese teacher, Carla Swick said.

Delegations from Palmer and Saroma typically travel to each other's communities every year but this was the first time the exchange happened since 2019. Swick said that she was thrilled to have the chance to see Saroma delegates again.

"Finally," Swick said with a laugh. "It felt so good… like your family is coming home. That made my heart smile for sure."

This annual cultural exchange is part of Palmer and Saroma's Sister City Program.

The Saroma delegation consisted of four middle school students, four high school students, and several adult delegates, according to Swick.

Student delegates spent time at Palmer Junior Middle School and Palmer High School and they had the chance to learn about American culture and participate in school events such as the Homecoming dance.

Host families welcomed Saroma delegates into their homes and spent quality time with them doing various activities such as hiking, visiting local establishments, and eating American food.

“It’s a packed two weeks,” Swick said.

This was not only an opportunity or Japanese delegates to immerse in American culture, but also a chance to experience Alaska's unique way of life.

"It was an amazing time watching them experience Alaska in all of its glory," PJMS teacher Stacy Roberts said. "It was lots of laughs and lots of fun for the two weeks."

Saroma adult delegate Kana ___ said that she had a great time visiting Palmer.

"Everything was awesome. I do love it and I will miss it when I go back to Japan,

Saroma student delegate Kohaku ___ said that he really enjoyed his visit and made many fond memories with his host family.

"It was really powerful. I would really like to do something like this again. Thank you very much,"

Many of the host families got emotional during the bittersweet farewell.

"I think the heart of the program is the host families,” Swick said. "It can be that spark in someone’s life… It’s a short exchange but it's a very powerful exchange."

Swick said the Sister City program will resume its annual course. She noted that they were supposed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sister City program in 2020 but it was canceled due to the pandemic. She said they're now planning to hold a 45th anniversary celebration in 2015.

"It is a labor of love for so many people in our city. Everyone does their part and that's what I think makes this so special,"

Yuko Hirouchi has been overseeing Saroma's Sister City program for 36 years and Swick has been involved with Palmer's Sister City program for about the same amount of time. Swick said that she cherishes every opportunity to catch up with her longtime friend.

"We’re like family,” Swick said. "She is a gift of the program. She is my Takaramono- my treasure."

Saroma delegates received certificates that made them honorary residents of Palmer from Mayor Steve Carrington at the end of the farewell potluck. Hirouchi also received a certificate for her lengthy dedication to Saroma's Sister City program. Delegates also received special gift bags that were donated by Cobb Street Market so they could brings little pieces of Alaska back with them.

"It's a really good program. It's cultural but it's also very personal," Carrington said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com