Jose Rios Middle School in Guam and Chikujo Town Schools in Japan Sign Historic Agreement

February 17, 2025
Jose Rios Middle School in Guam and Chikujo Town Schools in Japan  Sign Historic Agreement
Mrs. Mariann Lujan, Principal of Jose Rios Middle School (left) Mr. Hirofumi Shimazu, Principal of Shiida Jr. High School (centre) and Mr. Kazuhiro Izumi, Principal of Tsuiki Jr. High School (right)

This week, an agreement was signed between Jose Rios Middle School in Piti Village, Guam, and Chikujo Town’s Shiida Jr. High School and Tsuiki Jr. High School in Japan, further strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two regions.

This collaboration is an extension of the Pre-Games Training Camp partnerships established during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, involving 15 Oceania countries and five municipalities in Fukuoka Prefecture, including Chikujo Town.

The signing ceremony took place at Jose Rios Middle School, with key attendees including Mrs. Mariann Lujan, Principal of Jose Rios Middle School; Mr. Kazuhiro Izumi, Principal of Tsuiki Jr. High School; Mr. Hirofumi Shimazu, Principal of Shiida Jr. High School; Honorary Mayor Jesse Alig of Piti Village; Honorary Mayor Hisami Arakawa of Chikujo Town; Mr. Eric Swanson, Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education; Ms. Hiromi Kubo, Chairman of Chikujo Town Board of Education; Mr. Fumio Shiota, Chairman of the Chikujo Town Council; as well as representatives from the Guam Visitors Bureau, Chikujo Town, and the local Piti community.

ONOC Guam’s Mr. Mike Kohn (4th from left) with Mayor Arakawa (center) and representatives of Chikujo Town

During the ceremony, Mayor Arakawa presented Certificates of Appreciation to Mr. Ricardo Blas, Secretary General of ONOC, and Mr. Mike Kohn, who have played an instrumental role in facilitating this partnership between the school.

Following the event, Mayor Arakawa visited the ONOC Guam Office, where further Certificates of Appreciation were exchanged.

The student exchange program, scheduled for later this year, will focus on Olympic values and sports education, fostering stronger international connections through shared learning and cultural experiences.