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Seisa Gakuen visits San Antonio school
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Posted on May 12 2006
Drumbeats, traditional dances, and souvenir items were shared by at least 48 Japanese students from the Seisa Gakuen High School with San Antonio Elementary School Thursday morning.
It was the 9th annual cultural exchange program fostering friendship and cultural understanding between the two schools, according to SAES principal Katrina Lizama.
She said the activity was an excellent learning experience for both schools, especially in understanding each other’s culture.
The SAES students welcomed the guests early in the morning with dance routines in front of the school. A special program was then held in honor of the visit of the Japanese students.
Seisa Gakuen founder Yasuo Miyazaki and principal Misako Sasaki joined Lizama and SAES teacher Doris Thompson, counselor Dominic Palestino and former principal Tobed Smith. SAES teacher Dino Taitano hosted the event.
Lizama also presented a plaque of appreciation to Seisa Gakuen principal Sasaki for the school’s 9th visit to the elementary school.
In return, Sasaki also presented a check worth $200 to Lizama, telling her to use the money to buy necessary school supplies for the students.
The Japanese students joined the SAES students during lunch at the school cafeteria. The visitors also joined in the sports activities held in the afternoon. Other activities included weaving and printing demonstrations.
One point of interest during Thursday’s activity were the shirts worn by the students and chaperones from Japan on which were printed the question “Where in Hell is Saipan?”
The students travel to Saipan every year to be exposed to the English language. The language barrier, however, also provides an opportunity for students from both schools to improve communication skills, finding ways to overcome the barrier.
The Japanese students are also on Saipan for a tour of the island’s historical sites, including the Last Command Post, Banzai Cliff, and the Sugar King Monument.
