Celebrating differences

There were grass skirts, a handmade Trojan horse and Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.”

It was all part of Koblerville and William S. Reyes elementary schools’ United Nation’s Day celebration Friday.

Students at Koblerville Elementary, donning outfits depicting different countries from around the world, walked around the school grounds in a parade that included hundreds of handmade flags, and a Trojan horse made of boxes and construction paper.

“It’s fun,” said Franklin Lizama as he pulled the Trojan horse, a representation of Greece.

Each class had a different country, and throughout the week students learned about the country’s culture and history.

Pizza was first created in Greece, Lizama said.

Katherine Lizama, a fourth grade teacher at KES, said she picked Ireland as her classroom’s country because she has Irish blood. Two of her students wore the traditional peasant dresses, while other students wore white and green and carried mini Irish flags.

The day is important, Lizama said, “so students will be aware of the different cultures out here.”

At WS Reyes Elementary, the morning began with students placing flags from various countries in the ground.

“It was good,” said Jefferson Mateo, a fifth grader representing Switzerland. “We walked around and put flags in the grass. It was fun. Flags were put around like a globe.”

The program continued with manamko performing traditional dances for the students.

“I enjoy it. The kids enjoy it. I love it. I’m happy today,” Susanna Santos said after finishing her dance.

Afterward, each grade level showcased their own dance, as parents and community members snapped pictures. The Carolinian Heritage group also performed.

Lynette Villagomez, principal of WS Reye, said the day was a reminder that although there are differences among cultures and ethnicities, everyone should love one another.

“Although we don’t see students hating each other—there’s no animosity among students—it’s a good reminder for us to continue to love one another, and treat each other with respect, especially with what’s going on around the world,” she said.

This year’s theme, “promoting peace in a multicultural school,” was a good fit for the elementary that has students from 16 ethnicities, Villagomez said.

“That’s a lot. There’s a lot to celebrate,” she added.

United Nations Day is held annually on October 24, the anniversary of the UN charter which established the organization in 1945.