Barcarrota and Bradenton have been sister cities for more than 75 years. In 2018, Saint Stephen’s began collaborating with CEIP Hernando de Soto, the city’s elementary school, through a connection made by the Hernando de Soto Historical Society of Bradenton. The Historical Society, which has maintained the sister city relationship with Barcarrota (Badajoz), Spain, the hometown of explorer Hernando de Soto, has been fostering an appreciation of Manatee County’s Spanish–American heritage and cultural alliances since 1939.
Since the start of the partnership in 2018, students in both towns have enjoyed virtual collaborations, pen-pal letter exchanges, and friendly games and conversations on Zoom. In 2022, Saint Stephen’s students traveled to Barcarrota for the first time, experiencing the town through a homestay program. During the visit, our students led camp-style activities for the elementary school and also spent time at the local high school, IES Virgen del Soterraño.
