Walla Walla + Tambasasayama
Sister Cities
Creating
GOODWILL & FRIENDSHIP
MEET THE OFFICERS
Sonja
Gooding
Chairman
Sonja joined the Sister City board after her first visit to Tambasasayama in 2017. She is passionate about giving back to her community and has volunteered for several local non-profit organizations over the years. A CPA based in Walla Walla, Sonja enjoys traveling with her husband and two sons and has visited 21 countries, embracing opportunities to learn about different cultures and traditions.
Victoria Lidzbarski
Vice-Chairman
Victoria is a lifelong traveler and educator. She currently works as the school counselor at Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, WA. Prior to that role, she and her family lived overseas in Turkey, China, and finally in Kobe Japan from 2017-2020. Japan is her favorite country on earth for the collectivist culture, the thoughtful people, the incredible nature, the delicious food, and the stunning architecture.
Barbara Noel
Secretary
Barbara has been a member of the committee for over 15 years and is an avid Japanophile. She has worked with BMHS to develop a Cat Management Cooperative and is active around the community.
Katie
Ross
Treasurer
Katie has deep roots in the Walla Walla Valley, having lived there for over 30 years. She currently serves as the Director of Finance at Walla Walla Community College, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous financial roles within the community. In 2022, Katie and her son traveled to Tokyo to visit her daughter, and their three-week adventure left a lasting impression on her. She eagerly looks forward to visiting Japan in the future.
OUR MISSION
Walla Walla, Washington, USA and Tambasasayama, Hyogo, JAPAN entered into a Sister City relationship on August 23, 1972. The Washington State Economic and Trade Commission introduced our two communities.
Through the exchange of culture, information, and personal contact; the promotion of peace, understanding, and friendship has created a lasting international relationship. Home stay programs, and cultural exchange of music, dance, and the arts have brought the two communities closer together in understanding cultural diversity. Regardless of political affiliation, religion, or cultural customs, it is the understanding of the differences that leads to peace and friendship.
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The Washington State Association of Sister Cities awarded its 2011 Peace Prize Award to Walla Walla-Sasayama Sister City Affiliation Committee. The honor is awarded to a city in Washington State that has demonstrated the promotion of peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.
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MEMBERSHIP
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The Walla Walla Tambasasayama Sister City Affiliation Committee organizes the yearly student homestay travel exchanges. We are comprised of four elected officers, a city representative, and passionate community members. Membership is by affiliation.
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We are always looking for new members to help us with recruitment, planning, marketing, hosting, and much more. Please reach out to us if you are interested in joining, or to learn more. You can also visit our Events section to attend our next meeting.