PLYMOUTH, MA— Plymouth 400, Inc. hosted a lunch for the eight students visiting Plymouth, Massachusetts from the Town’s sister-city, Plymouth, England through the Spirit of Discovery challenge. The eight Year 5 pupils from England won the challenge, produced by the Plymouth Association of Primary Headteachers in partnership with other educational organizations, which consisted of a creative art contest, and their prize was to travel to Plymouth, MA for a week to serve as “City Ambassadors.” This event is the first in the two Plymouths’ partnership to connect students from each country to learn of the history they share and to develop a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and engagement leading up to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing from one Plymouth to the other.
During their stay in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the students are staying with host families, who have graciously opened their homes for the week to give the students a taste of living in an American town. The students marched in the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday with the “Plymouth to Plymouth” float, sponsored by Plymouth 400, Inc., which was a representation of Smeaton’s Tower in Plymouth UK and “Bug Light” in Plymouth, MA. The students also visited Manomet Elementary School to see what it’s like to learn in an American classroom, went on tours of Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower, and have been exploring the town with their host families and staff members from the Plymouth Public Schools.
The group’s itinerary also includes the Plymouth North vs. Plymouth South high school football game on Thanksgiving, “The Venture of 1620” performance, and traditional Thanksgiving dinners with their host families.
The Spirit of Discovery students from Plymouth, England outside Cabby Shack restaurant with Tim Turner of Native Plymouth Tours and Michele Pecoraro of Plymouth 400, Inc.
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the historic 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage, the landing of the Pilgrims, their relationship with the Native Wampanoag people and the founding of Plymouth Colony; events that significantly shaped the building of America. The Plymouth 400 commemoration will honor America’s story of exploration, innovation, self-governance and thanksgiving, the legacies sparked by these historic events that continue today as cornerstones of our nation. The events and programs to be produced by Plymouth 400, Inc. will engage audiences in the US and beyond with participation in the millions across communities, and include participation by global leaders, international musical and stage artists, veterans, descendants, and youth. These world-class programs and events will include live televised events, festivals, historical and cultural exhibitions, and educational programming. Events and programs will be funded by public funds for education and tourism and private partnerships with select national sponsors and corporate leaders and leave a legacy that will live beyond the commemoration dates.
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