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Guam sailors hold Learnabration for MEMS students
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Posted on Feb 27 2012
By COREY HENSLEY
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class
Joint Region Edge Staff
SANTA RITA, Guam-Sailors stationed at various commands on Guam volunteered their time as guest speakers during the annual Learnabration at Cmdr. William C. McCool Elementary/Middle School on U.S. Naval Base Guam on Feb. 17.
Established in 2009 by the Guam Greek Council, Learnabration’s goal is to celebrate Black History Month and expand students’ knowledge of African-American culture and history.
“Throughout the school year, children get opportunities to learn about everything they can, but they don’t get too many opportunities to get really into African-American history,” said Master-at-Arms Seaman Zachery Farrell, assigned to NBG Security. “This gives me an opportunity to get out to the community and help them learn a little more about something they may not learn too much about.”
The focus of this year’s Learnabration was famous women in black history in America. Students rotated through classrooms to listen to different speakers offering particular topics that highlighted black women’s accomplishments.
“The kids were very engaged, very interactive with the presenters, very inquisitive and always wanting more,” said Valerie Payne, MEMS event organizer and member of Guam Greek Council. “I hope that the kids will take away from this that African-American culture is a part of our everyday history, and that this one month is used to highlight the contributions of African-Americans.”
In one classroom, Chief Hospital Corpsman Tony Lafuente, assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, created an interactive experience for the children, having them imagine they were slaves following Harriet Tubman’s route to freedom.
“I talked them about the underground railroad, the dangers that it took and the choices that slaves had to make and how bad they really wanted to have freedom,” Lafuente said. “For kids to really get involved, it helps them learn when you give them choices to make, and put them in a spot where the slaves were.”
