Student Delegations

The Program

The Student Delegation program is a unique opportunity for Cupertino and Toyokawa students to establish that special connection through cultural and educational experiences.  We are very proud to resume the program in 2024 after four years in hiatus.  

Information Flyer

Cupertino Toyokawa Student Delegation Info Flyer 1.0 2025 - Google Docs.pdf

Selected as the current year's delegation, the group of students and chaperones is introduced formally at the Cherry Blossom Festival and meet attending VIPs from the City of Cupertino and the Cupertino Union School District before traveling to Toyokawa in June.


Photos from the Cherry Blossom Festival

2024 Student Delegation at the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, Memorial Park, April 27th, 2024.
2018 Student Delegation. April 28, 2018, Memorial Park, Cupertino
2017 Student Delegation. April 29, 2017, Memorial Park, Cupertino.

Program resumed in 2024 stronger than ever!

The Cupertino delegation visited Toyokawa in June/July, 2024, and the Toyokawa delegation visited Cupertino in October, 2024. 

In 2020, we had to pause the program after extensive planning. Our student delegation would have been in Toyokawa at the end of June, 2020, but the trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we sent the following "Hello Toyokawa" video greeting to Toyokawa. 

Mr. Tanaka, who was the 2019 Toyokawa Delegation's lead chaperone said, 

"Thank you very much for the video message...... Next year we wish we could have peace in our lives again ... We look forward to seeing you...."

Hello Toyokawa 2020.mp4
Photo collage by Mr. Tanaka, 2019's Lead Chaperone.
2024 Student Delegates
2018 Delegation

2016 Delegation

Delegation News

Mr. Tanaka's Update

Photo of Mr. Tanaka, who was the 2019 Student Delegation's Lead Chaperone, and Moeka, the student leader of the 2019 delegation. They are on the opposing handball teams that had to play against each other.  However, they now have the opportunity to see each other again even though the delegation period has ended.

Kento Tanabe, holding a quilt which is a gift from Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities members.

Congratulations to Kento Tanabe, our international student from Toyokawa graduated from De Anza college in June 2020!

He is the first Toyokawa exchange student to study college in Cupertino, and also the first person to be a member of both of the sister city committees in Toyokawa and Cupertino!

We are excited to present you with a very special T-shirt quilt gift, and we are so proud for you to receive a Proclamation from our City, "for being an example of the positive impact our Sister City programs can have on people, and how an individual can benefit our program while serving as an inspiration to others"

We will miss you as you return to Japan, Kento!


Sarang Deshpande, our 2016 student delegation member, who won the 2018 CREST Rising Star Award.  Sarang attended UC Berkeley in 2020.
Rising Star: Sarang Deshpande a sophomore at Monta Vista High School, contacted then Mayor Savita Vaidhyanathan to offer volunteer services to the City. As a result, Sarang provided staff support to the Mayor during the City’s 4th of July festivities, including ensuring he was on time at all of his scheduled appearances and posting on social media. Sarang later volunteered in our Recreation and Community Services Department on a Teen Center Outreach Plan. Recently, Sarang approached the Cupertino Teen Commission as a co-founder of Budding Leaders, an organization designed to offer free leadership workshops for youth. The organization was created to help youth develop social, communication, and leadership skills necessary for life. 
Brother Kyle and sister Sydnie are student delegation members of 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Memories

2015

On September 24, 2015, the 2015 Toyokawa delegation of 16 students and 3 chaperones arrived at Cupertino City Hall. This is a video of 2015 Toyokawa delegation welcome at Cupertino City Hall when they arrived.

2015 

September 25, 2015, Toyokawa delegation performs Soran Bushi in Cupertino, CA (Memorial Park)

32 Years Later Daughter has her Cupertino Sister City Visit

Minami experiences what her Mother Sumiko saw 32 years ago
Minami’s Mother Sumiko with 1982 Toyokawa delegation
What a great story from Minami and Sumiko!

Toyokawa delegation at Golfland

Toyokawa delegation at Pizza My Heart

Toyokawa delegation at Yogurtland

Toyokawa delegation at Color Me Mind