PHILIPSBURG – On Tuesday July 16th, a delegation from Tallahassee, Florida, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin. During the visit, the delegation discussed a number of items with the Prime Minister.
One of the items discussed, was the commemoration of the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Sister City Agreement between Sint Maarten and Tallahassee, signed in September 23, 1999. The delegation hoped to achieve public recognition for the successes, achievements and relationships forged and accomplished as a result of the agreement. One of the major successes of the agreement is the opportunity for Sint Maarten students to further their education in Tallahassee at one of the three major institutions, Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida State University (FSU), or Tallahassee Community College (TCC), with out-of-state fees waived.
The fee waiver is attributed to the Latin American and Caribbean scholarships programs, donations & grants by the government of Sint Maarten facilitated by the Tallahassee Sint Maarten Foundation (TLHSXM). In an effort to promote academic success and increase their community involvement, TLHSXM provides mentoring, coaching and guidance to Sint Maarten students. Together with the support of Sint Maarten’s Division of Study Finance, TLHSXM and Tallahassee’s St. Maarten Student Association (SMTSA), students studying in our Sister City are provided with many avenues to accomplish their educational goals.
Other items addressed during the visit were strategies for meeting social and academic challenges that might effect the success of our students.
Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin thanked the Tallahassee delegation for the work they have done thus far and pledged the support of the Government of Sint Maarten to maintain and uphold the Sister City Agreement in the future.
