Two GCA Students Named 2026 Gilbert Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors
Two GCA Students Named 2026 Gilbert Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors
Hailey Borden
GILBERT, Ariz. (April 20, 2026) - Five Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) students were selected to serve as 2026 Youth Ambassadors for Gilbert Sister Cities, following a rigorous four-month selection process. These high school juniors will participate in an international exchange, traveling either to Northern Ireland or China this summer to foster global understanding and represent the Gilbert community.
Mackenzie Redford of Gilbert Classical Academy, will travel to Antrim-Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, in June and will spend three weeks with host families before returning home to host visiting international ambassadors in July. Michael Wang of Gilbert Classical Academy will travel to Leshan, China, in July, similarly getting immersed in the local culture before bringing visiting ambassadors back to Gilbert.
“This year’s ambassadors remind me that global understanding is built in curiosity, humility, hard work, and the courage to show up,” said Elaine Kessler, President of the Gilbert Sister Cities board. “Their dedication and exemplary effort transformed intention into meaningful connection, and aspiration into real accomplishment. Getting to know each student was not only a delight, but a warm reassurance – a promise that the values we steward today will be carried forward with wisdom, compassion, and purpose. Because of these youth, I know with certainty that our future is in thoughtful, capable, and inspired hands.”
The selected students represent a wide range of academic and extracurricular achievements. Representing Gilbert Classical Academy, Mackenzie Redford serves as Student Government President of Internal Affairs and captain of the varsity volleyball team. Michael Wang, also of Gilbert Classical Academy, is the President of the Asian Student Association and recently completed a summer internship focused on Alzheimer’s research at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Before beginning their travels, the ambassadors participated in the Gilbert Global Village Festival on April 11. Upon their return, they will serve as community mentors, participating in the Gilbert Days Parade and visiting local schools to share their experiences.