By JIM DE BOOM

It was a beautiful fall evening at Moe Hamill Park on Private Road in Newport Beach, as more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the 25th Annual Newport Beach-Okazaki Youth Exchange BBQ and pumpkin carving.

The seven Japanese and seven American students had spent their final day together with Newport-Balboa Rotarians, who gave them a tour of the city.

Corona del Mar Middle School students Marisa Cummings and Gavin Finks' families hosted Marwiko Yoshimi and Daiki Kato, respectively, Ensign student Ryan Alberts' family hosted Jumpei Shibata; Erickson Luke Klein's family hosted Motoki Morishita; Jayzee MacPhail's family hosted Nanaka Murata; J.P. Muller's family hosted Yasuhiro Hatta; and Orange County School of the Arts student Samantha Smith's family hosted Madoka Hashiguchi.

Chaperones accompanying the Newport students to Japan during their July 10 through 20 exchange were Gary Hensley (assistant principal at Costa Mesa High), and his significant other, Marissa Jackson.

Chris Nakamoto and Daniel Hsu (their son Daniel went to Japan last year) hosted Japanese chaperon Kaoru Nakadachi, and the Ford Family — whose son Michael went to Japan in 2003 — hosted Japanese chaperon Norishiro Oqawa-san.

Those in attendance included Rotary District 5320 Gov. Lane Calvert and his wife Connie, Mayor Don Webb and his wife Janet, City Manager Homer Bludau, members of the Sister City Committee, spouses of Rotarians and the host American families.

President Steve Speer called on Art Walton for the Pledge of Allegiance. Student Samantha Smith sang the Japanese National Anthem, and the seven Japanese students sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," which brought goose bumps and tears to many in attendance.

A number of Rotarians helped during the day, including Roger McGonegal, Ed Rennie, Dean Reavie, Bob Silver, Peter Smith, Bill Hossfield, Victor Currie, Dick Dickson and Linda Klevatt, with the assistance of husband Syd.

Connie and Mike Skibba and Teddie and Sammy Tate provided the venue and helped with set up. Eleven Newport Beach firemen prepared the 200 hamburgers and hot dogs on the Fireman's Grill. The burger trimmings and desserts were supplied by Rotarians and Sister City folks.

The American hosts were introduced by Rotarian Exchange Chair Dan Hoffman, who also serves as chair of the Sister City Assn. Committee for the Okazaki Exchange.

The American students gave highlights of their tour to Japan and then introduced their exchange buddy, who shared the highlights of their visit to Newport Beach.

"Surfing"; "Disneyland and Scaryhouse"; "Going to school and dance class"; and "Learning Japanese words" were phrases echoed several times by the visitors and Americans.

Webb and Bludau received gifts from the Japanese delegation and acknowledged the dedication of the Friendship Statue at the new Donna and John Crean Mariners Branch Library on Saturday.

Rotarian Marc Aarons, fluent in Japanese, had gifts for the two Japanese advisors and their spouses.

The Japanese students then provided entertainment in the way of a song and dance in appropriate Japanese costumes. They were a talented group.