Honoring 50 Years of Delray Beach’s Relationship with Miyazu, Japan

Pearce Boylan (10th Grade, Communications) and James Smith (9th Grade, Digital Arts & Photography) have been selected to represent Delray Beach as official Student Ambassadors in the Sister Cities of Delray Beach Japan Exchange Program - two of just seven students chosen from across Palm Beach County.

Their selection arrives in a year that carries exceptional meaning. 2027 marks the 50th Anniversary of Delray Beach’s sister city relationship with Miyazu, Japan - a bond made tangible for generations of South Florida families through The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Pearce and James will carry that legacy forward.

A Year of Preparation. A Lifetime of Impact.
Before they board a flight, these two students will spend ten months training alongside their cohort - studying Japanese language, cultural etiquette, and the art of representing their city with grace and intention. They will plan and lead their own fundraising events, build team roles, and develop the kind of leadership that only comes from real responsibility.

In the Summer of 2027, the cohort travels to Miyazu and Kyoto, Japan - homestays with Japanese families, school visits, and goodwill diplomacy at the highest level. And when the Mayor of Miyazu visits Delray Beach later that year, these students will stand as the city’s official ambassadors - welcoming a head of government on behalf of their community.

For Pearce, whose voice and communication instincts are already being sharpened at Dreyfoos, and for James, whose lens captures what words often miss - this program will expand both of them in ways no classroom alone can.

To Pearce and James: Japan is waiting. Go make Delray Beach proud. 

Learn more at sistercitiesofdelraybeach.org