Our purpose and mission . . .

The purpose of the Mount Dora
Sister Cities Association, Inc. is to
promote person-to-person contact, and cultural and educational exchanges between the citizens of Mount Dora, Florida and Forres, Morayshire, Scotland.

We are a 501(c)(3) Educational Organization.

Mount Dora, Florida Mount Dora
Sister Cities Association

our sister city Royal Burgh of Forres, Scotland

Molly Mullen (right front) with her Scottish classmates at the Forres Academy during her month as one of the 2011 student ambassadors to Forres in June 2011

Forrest Etter (2009) and Mark Hermes. (2008)

2009 Students from Mount Dora who went to Scotland
are Forrest Etter and Kelsea Mullane, above left, in Scotland with Forres Students Laurence Williams, Chloe Wright

Forrest Etter and Kelsea Mullane (2009)











The Kirkin of the Tartans (Mount Dora 2010) comes from the days of the Act of Proscription in Scotland when the wearing of the kilt was banned. Scottish Highlanders would hide pieces of their clan tartans and bring them to church to be blessed.

Activities:

A student exchange program for Mount Dora, Florida and Forres Academy, Scotland high school students takes place one month of each year.

2011 student ambassadors:
Mount Dora students Molly Mullen   and Kassandra Kertesz will spent June 2011 in Forres. Rachael Stephen and Robyn Whalley from Forres will spend October in Mount Dora.


2010 student ambassadors from Mount Dora were Rosney Mauger and Sarah Carney. Freyja Harris and Martin Masson came to Mount Dora from Forres in October 2010.

2009 student ambassadors from Mount Dora were Forrest Etter and Kelsea Mullane. Chloe Wright and Laurence Williams came to Mount Dora from Forres in October 2009.


Each year there are fundraisers to finance air travel for two Mount Dora, Florida students to go to Forres, Scotland for a four-week stay.


Social activities include a traditional ceilidh (kay’lee), kirking of the tartans and an annual Robert Burns dinner complete with bagpipes and haggis.


Association members host visitors from our sister city.


A slide/video presentation on life in Forres, Scotland is available for interested groups.

Above and left:

Rosney, Sarah, Martin
and Freyja in Mount Dora

at City Hall October 5, 2010. Mount Dora flew the Scottish flag for the month of October in honor of Martin and Freyja’s visit to our city. They were introduced to the City Council earlier that evening (see Photo page)

2011 Mount Dora student ambassadors Kassandra Kertesz (left) and Molly Mullen with Mount  Dora Sister Cities President Bill Gearing. Kassandraand Molly were recognized by the Mount Dora City Council on June 7, 2011