Claire Allen, class of 2028, is one of four Xavier students who will engage in cultural exchange and global learning through the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program (photo by Lisa Zuba).
In April, Xavier College Preparatory announced that four students have been selected to participate in the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, a highly competitive and transformative international experience.
Representing Xavier and the City of Phoenix, the following students have been named Youth Ambassadors for 2026: Claire Allen, class of 2028 – Prague, Czech Republic; Piper Paynter, class of 2028 – Hermosillo, Mexico; Gisela Gutierrez Flores, class of 2027 – Chengdu, China; and Niyati Reddymasu, class of 2027 – Taipei, Taiwan.
The Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Program offers high school sophomores and juniors a unique opportunity to engage in cultural exchange and global learning. Each student will spend two to three weeks abroad in June, living with a host family and experiencing daily life in their assigned sister city.
In July, students will host their international counterparts in Phoenix for three weeks, participating in cultural activities and events designed to highlight the region and foster international relationships. Experiences include visits to local landmarks, meetings with city leaders, and shared traditions that deepen cross-cultural understanding.
Through the program, students develop global awareness, leadership skills and lasting international connections – an experience that aligns closely with Xavier’s mission of educating the whole person.
“My connection to this program is deeply personal – my daughter participated as a Youth Ambassador in 2016, and I witnessed firsthand the confidence, independence and global awareness she gained,” said Camille King, PhD, MPH, Xavier Science teacher and acting chair of the Himeji Committee. “It was a transformative experience that continues to shape her life today. The preparation and immersion these students receive are truly impactful, helping them grow into confident, compassionate and globally minded young women. That is why I remain so committed to this program.”
Student participants are equally enthusiastic about the opportunity.
“I’m excited to be fully immersed in a culture so different from my own and to experience what it’s truly like to live in another country,” said Claire Allen, class of 2028, who will travel to Prague, Czech Republic. “I hope to learn more about global traditions and perspectives, and I think this experience will challenge me to see the world – and myself – in a completely new way.”
Piper Paynter, class of 2028, who will travel to Hermosillo, Mexico, added, “What excites me most is the opportunity to see how people from other countries perceive American culture. I’m especially looking forward to being fully immersed in Spanish and gaining a deeper understanding of the language and the culture that so strongly influences Phoenix. I know this experience will expand my perspective in a meaningful way.”
The school said, “Xavier celebrates these students for embracing an opportunity that will not only broaden their perspectives, but also strengthen their ability to lead and serve in an increasingly interconnected world.”
Learn about the Sister Cities program by visiting www.phoenixsistercities.org.
