Addison Trail hosts students from Triggiano, Italy, as part of Sister Cities program

With tears in his eyes, Addison Trail senior Camden Knights thanked those involved with the Addison-Triggiano Sister Cities program for their support of the exchange program that allows students from Triggiano, Italy, to come to Addison and Addison Trail students to travel to Italy.

From Oct. 11 to 18, Addison Trail hosted 15 students and their teacher and principal from Il Cartesio High School in Triggiano, Italy, as part of the Sister Cities program.

"I really got to know (everybody), and they're really my brothers," Knights said. "I wish everyone could have this opportunity, because I've learned more in this last week than in a lifetime."

During their time at Addison Trail, the students from Triggiano enjoyed a Columbus Day Parade, took field trips to Chicago, meet officials from the Village of Addison and experienced what it’s like to be a student at Addison Trail.

"We've loved staying here," said Donatella Gasparro of Triggiano, Italy. "Everyone was so kind, and it's great to get in touch with this beautiful culture and school system."

Addison Trail students hosted the Italian students in their home and will travel to Triggiano, Rome, Florence and Venice in March 2014 as part of the exchange program. This is the second time Addison Trail students are participating in the program.

For more information about the Sister Cities program, contact Jean Barbanente, District 88 Assistant Superintendent, at 630-530-3985 or jbarbanente@dupage88.net.