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WISS Celebrating International Day
By WISS Admin | June 1, 2009
WISS hosted an International Day celebration on May 22, paying tribute to over 26 nationalities and cultures represented in its diverse learning community.
With ample space to accommodate over 450, the new gym/theater provided an excellent venue for the celebration, which presented an array of elaborate costumes, delectable food, beautiful music, unique artifacts and other distinct country features. A stirring flag procession pulled the curtain on the opening ceremony. Clad in cultural dress or the colors of their home country, students, parents and staff members presented their country/region flags. Then one student representative from each culture group briefly introduced their home country in both mother tongue and English. Shortly after, the Aussie trio, made up of three Australian staff, Renee Peitsch, Amy Miers and Amy Griffin, delighted the audience with “I still Call Australia Home”.
Then came the exciting moment to walk “Around the World” visiting the country stalls decked with country/region flags, food, literature, artifacts and pictures galore. Each stand was prepared and attended by enthusiastic parents, who had a whole lot to share. They chopped a stamp on students’ “passport”, treated visitors to delicate goodies, engaged them in national activities and so on. At the UK stand, you could appreciate the famed double-decker bus and red post office in miniature, taste homemade scones with jam and cream, short bread and English toffees, and learn interesting facts about Britain through tourist brochures and a DVD ‘Why visit Britain’ accompanied by Beatles music. Next you might pop by the USA stall adorned with American football, cowboy accoutrements, and a miniature Statue of Liberty, and enjoy some hotdogs and chocolate chip cookies while trying to puzzle out how many pieces of log made the cabin on display. You would get easily captivated by the fine art of calligraphy and ink painting while sampling an outrageous amount of snacks at the China booth. Or you could experience aboriginal face and hand painting and savor Anzac biscuits, Vegemite sandwiches and Lamingtons at the
In the meantime, thespians from Middle School unleashed their acting talent through three dazzling plays: a drama of arranged marriage in South Asia, scenes from the “The Odyssey” and a scene from Steinbeck’s classic, “Of Mice and Men”. Back at the nerve center, the gym/theater, visitors watched a rousing round of student-led performances. In addition to a thrilling Wushu display by WISS students enrolled in Chi Life studio and dances from all over Asia, students from the Xujing Middle School wowed the enthusiastic audience with elegant cultural dance, songs and the tranquil vibrations coming out of Gu Zheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument.
With the celebration such a sweeping success, Middle School Principal Mr. Tom Kline, who orchestrated this event, said,” It’s amazing to see our community members dressed in colorful costumes that reflected their cultural identity. While sharing the gifts of our nation/region, we also get a chance to learn and experience a little more about our diversity as a community. The school is so fortunate in having our parents put in so much effort to ensure this day was a great success.”
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