The annual SCI Conference held in San Antonio this year was especially meaningful for the group of seven from Tempe that attended. This year Tempe was honored with the BEST SISTER CITY PROGRAM IN AMERICA. Tempe has been recognized six times for this award.

President Dick Neuheisel accepted this award on behalf of the entire organization; volunteers, board members and delegates who have participated in the program for the last 42 years. The strength of the program lies in the enthusiasm and continuity of support throughout the years. A special toast to Elaine Hlawek, former coordinator to Lower Hutt and board member, was made to honor a special friend of our sister cities program.

Two students represented Tempe, Jennifer Jones from Marcos De Niza (also the winner of the Young Artists Award 2013) and Wasiba Rahman of Tempe High School. Dick Neuheisel, Dobrin Nedelkov, Juan Carillo, Annie Hsu (not pictured) and Jane Neuheisel represented Tempe at the conference.