What is Junior Wings?

The Junior Wings Program is a cross-cultural student exchange program between Walter Colton Middle School of Monterey and the middle schools of Monterey’s sister-city, Nanao, Japan. The goal of this seven-month program is to provide a select number of youth from Monterey’s public middle school with a mind-broadening, international cross-cultural experience that fosters the goodwill between the citizens of Monterey and Nanao.

The Junior Wings program itself is a part of the Education Foundation for MPUSD, an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports supplemental education programs throughout the school district.  The Education Foundation handles the funding and finances for the Junior Wings program.

Who
The Junior Wings program is directed by a Steering Committee and executed by a program director.  Each year one to three members of the Colton Middle School faculty, staff or administration are selected to help execute the program and chaperone the students on the visit to Japan.  Japanese-English interpreting and guiding while in Japan is provided by the program director.

Students are selected through a written application and oral interview by a three-person panel comprised of the program’s chaperones and program director. Eligibility is open to any 7th-grade student at Walter Colton Middle School. Competition is very stiff, with an average of 25 students applying for typically twelve openings.

When
The Junior Wings program runs for approximately seven months, from the time the students are selected in March through August when the Nanao students visit Monterey until the program culminates with the Colton students’ visit to Nanao, Japan in early October.

What
The first phase of the program (April-June) focuses on the general study of Japan, its language, history, culture, and customs, and the students are introduced to their Nanao partner. Skype video conferencing is used for face-to-face interactions and email for simple communication. Outside of bi-monthly meetings, we visit Japantown in San Jose, experience a traditional tea ceremony, and hold most of our fundraising activities.

The second phase of the program (July-August) prepares the Colton students and their families for hosting their partner from Nanao for a nine-day homestay in August, focusing largely on language and customs in the home. The Nanao students are greeted with a Welcome Party potluck dinner attended by all host families, Monterey city officials, members of the Monterey Peninsula-Nanao Friendship Association, and members of the Japanese-American Citizens League.

During the Nanao students stay, they tour the greater Monterey Peninsula area, including City Hall, Fisherman’s Wharf, CHOMP, Carmel Mission, and Walter Colton Middle school where they visit classrooms, participating in science, art, and P.E. activities. They also visit San Francisco and Big Sur. Evenings and weekends are filled with homestay family activities, including shopping, and a beach picnic and bonfire. This phase of the program concludes with a Farewell Thank You party hosted by the Nanao students at the Monterey Youth Center. Upwards of 100 people -- students, host families, city council members, Colton staff and community members -- enjoy food, fellowship, entertainment by the Nanao students, and tearful speeches that end the nine days of exchange in Monterey.

The third phase of the program (September-October) shifts focus to the Colton students’ visit to Japan. They learn of the historic culture of Kyoto where they spend two days visiting World Heritage sites, such as the Imperial Palace, the Golden Pavilion, and Ryoanji and Kiyomizu Temples, and the historic  shopping district of Teramachi. After two nights at an international youth hostel, the students board  a train for the three-hour journey to Nanao where they are met by their host families. Over the next seven days the group tours Nanao and the Noto Peninsula, including visits to the city offices, a middle school, fire station, castle, museums, temples, and other cultural sites. They participate in many hands-on activities such as grinding tea, gold leaf appliqué, pounding rice, and lacquer painting. At the end of their stay, the Colton students host a Farewell Thank You party with entertainment for their host families and supporting organizations.

After returning to Monterey, the program concludes with a final "Sayonara Party" to tell everyone about their experiences, and to sign thank you cards.  In mid February, the students' final action as Junior Wings members is to give short presentations of their Japan experience to classes of 7th graders to stimulate interest the program for the new year.

How Much
The cost of the program is approximately $1,500 per participant, plus the cost of airfare, which has ranged between $800-$1,900; however, the Junior Wings Program has enjoyed tremendous community support over the years from the Community Foundation for Monterey, the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, and the Monterey Rotary Club.  Generous grants from these organizations have greatly reduced the cost of the program; however, please keep in mind that these grants are awarded on a year-by-year basis and there is no guarantee that Junior Wings will be awarded in future years.

Through active fundraising, the program has been able to further lower the program cost to $500 per student, payable in two $250 installments (May and August).  Partial scholarships are also available.  Airfare tickets are typically purchased in late July-early August.  For reference, airfare in 2014 was approximately $1,500.

How to Participate
Students interested in participating in the Junior Wings program should bring their families to the Student/Family Orientation Meeting to hear about the program first-hand.  The meeting will be held at the Monterey Youth Center on Tuesday, February 24, 6:30-7:30pm.  The program strongly encourages whole families to participate, especially younger siblings.

Pick up an application at the meeting (or you can find it here).  Complete the application and turn it in to Ms. Allen at Colton Middle School by 4:00pm, Friday, March 6.