Gulf Shores, Ala. – (GSN) – The Foley Sister Cities Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that we were able to send the second group of Foley High School student and teacher delegates to their partner city of Hennef, Germany. Students returned home last week after experiencing a two-week exchange. The first delegation traveled in 2024 and are now active members of the Foley Sister Cities Global Leaders Alumni Association.

The Foley High School teachers and students stayed with host families while visiting the cities of Cologne and Bonn, Germany, and Efteling and Maastricht, Netherlands. Students and teachers experienced the culture of the area by attending school, enjoying family time with their host families, and by visiting the surrounding area castles, cathedrals, Lindt Chocolate Factory and Museum, Efteling Amusement Park, and the Haribo Gummy Bear Store. They also visited the Drei-Lander-Eck (“three-border-area”), a place where the countries of Belgium, Netherlands and Germany connect. 

While in Hennef, the students and chaperones visited the DSL Whole Grain Bakery where they had lessons on baking bread and decorating cookies. The gracious bakery owner, David Lee Schlenker, taught the students and teachers about the importance of using organic products. Mr. Schlenker prides his bakery by only utilizing organic ingredients, with 90% of his ingredients grown locally. Hennef’s Mayor Dahm and city leader, Dominique Müller-Grote, joined in the baking lessons. Delegates reported this to be one of the highlights of their trip. 

Jimmy O’Cain, one of the Foley High School teacher chaperons stated, “The trip to Germany this year was “absolutely amazing”. This program offers students and teachers alike the opportunity to truly connect with people from other parts of the world and see how similar we are. The personal connection I witnessed with the American and German students and teachers was very real. This program gives each participant the opportunity to see how others live and create friendships that will last a lifetime.”

RELATED ARTICLE:  Foley Hosts German Students During Sister Cities Exchange

Dr. Michael Roy, lead teacher and Commissioner, stated, “I’ve had the privilege of taking Foley students to Germany twice now. While the groups were entirely different, the outcomes remained the same. Each journey was more than just a trip abroad. It was a catalyst for confidence, independence, and personal growth that will stay with these students for the rest of their lives. “

Student delegate Cole Reid said, “It was great. Seeing the Cologne Cathedral in person was amazing and visiting the Drachenfelsbahn Castle was unbelievable. I liked all the hiking that we did, too. It was fun. I want to go on my next trip.” Cole recommends it to everyone. Cole’s mother, Laurie, says “It was great. He totally would go again, and now his younger brother wants to go too.”

As McKenzie Beavers reflects on her trip, she reports “To me, Germany was a very eye-opening experience! It was so interesting and amazing to see all the differences between lives in Germany and America. The main thing that was surprising to me was that Germany uses major public transportation pretty much everywhere! There’s always a bus or a train you can catch to go anywhere in Germany, and I just thought it was so convenient, and you didn’t have to spend much money either. Another thing I really liked over there was that things were decently priced, and I LOVED how the tax was already included in the pricing. You paid no more than what the price said. I also adored all the beautiful scenery everywhere. There were so many castles and pretty landscapes to look at everywhere you looked.”

McKenzie Beavers’ mother, Amber, says, “The exchange was amazing. They made such great friends. I could see it was tough when they had to say goodbye to their new German friends.”

All delegates agreed that there was an unbelievable warm reception from the Hennef families and citizens. Many stated they have built relationships for a lifetime. Students described this trip as a life-changing experience, and they have gained a lifetime of connections.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich and Linda B Spangrud, Foley Sister Cities’ Executive Director are very pleased with the results they are seeing from these exchanges. Learning about other cultures and developing international friendships will assist in developing diplomacy and peace. Spangrud goes on to say, “We could not do this without the abundant support of our city, schools, families, businesses, civic organizations, media and larger community. It definitely takes a village.”

Foley Sister Cities Commission, along with their title sponsor Riviera Utilities, will host their inaugural “Foley Sisters Cities, Oktoberfest Golf Jamboree” on Friday, October 23, 2026, at GlenLakes Golf Club in Foley. The golf tournament will conclude with a full-blown Oktoberfest event including food, beverages, and a seven-piece German band playing from 5-9 pm. Tickets are available to the public, but sponsorships and golf teams are running out quickly. This fundraiser will assist in raising funds for the Sister Cities' initiatives such as future student trips, art and culture exchange, and other projects. 

If you wish to be a sponsor, have a team or want to learn more, go to www.foleysistercities.com or email foleysistercities@gmail.com.