Seven years ago, Bev Kovacs Spaven ’65, who now lives in Richmond, VA, first visited Richmond’s Sister City, Saitama, Japan, as part of a Little League cultural exchange.

“It has long been the dream of the Sister Cities to have an educator’s exchange,” Bev explained, and when the opportunity finally came, she was one of the first three chosen. “It is a wonderful learning experience from both ends,” Bev said. “I’m helping in the English classes in 4th–6th grades and sharing  my school and home life in Richmond with each grade level.”

The other teachers returned Stateside on August 9th, but Bev stayed until the 18th to do some extra sightseeing and visit her Japanese friends.  “I will also visit Ishinomaki for one night,” Bev said. “It’s one of the badly hit tsunami towns, where an American was killed—a young female teacher from Richmond. I will visit her school and the reading center that’s been set up in her memory. I’m sure it will be a heartfelt experience as they are still trying to clean up.”