May 5, 2005

Passport to culture

Simonds Multicultural Faire promotes understanding of nations

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Ever watched a game of cricket? Or tasted Zamarud (Afghanistan rice with spinach)? Have you seen a Japanese folk dance? Or dressed like a Serb? All this and more was part of Simonds Elementary School Multicultural Faire last Friday.

Three lovely young ladies pose for the camera in beautiful Indian attire at Simonds Multicultural Faire. “There are many people other than Americans,” said chairperson Lillian Ross. “Everybody can get along and be friendly. We are all human beings.” Photo by Jane Kendall

Simonds Parent Teacher Association presents the annual event that students and the community patiently waits all year for. They learn about other cultures and promote understanding of the people of the globe. This year the theme was “Sports and Games from Around the World.”

“There are many people other than Americans,” said chairperson Lillian Ross. “Everybody can get along and be friendly. We are all human beings. The kids come from many different backgrounds and traditions. It is fun for them and a learning tool. It teaches them to better understand cultures.”

The genesis of the event began innocently enough. Ross explained that the registrar in the school office, Sue Lee, began the event five years ago with her help. They worked on it the next year. After Lee left to pursue another position, she left Ross running the show. And each year it has became bigger and better.

Ross credits her co-chairs Shelly Ballard and Kimberlie Garg and all the members of the parent-teacher association with the success of the event. They begin a year in advance planning and solicitation the help of families who want to showcase their culture. This year there were 22 booths, a mini league of nations. Simonds boasts a rich tapestry of cultures with students from over 40 countries.

Sports and games highlighted from around the world included the Scottish highland games, cricket and Gaelic football. Plus there were soccer games every five minutes.

A parade of nations was followed by an Indian dance, Japanese folk, karate demonstration and Korean martial arts.

Parents prepared their favorite dishes, which could be purchased. Arroz con leche [rice with milk], moose droppings from Canada [cookies], Dutch poffertjes, and Filipino chicken adobe were a few of the aromas that filled the evening air. Many of the booths gave gifts of the sport theme and crafts of their culture. A passport could be purchased of all the countries represented with maps and information on the region. Raffle tickets are available for cultural filled air balloon baskets.

Want to dress like an Italian or Malaysian? Dressing rooms were set up for willing participants to don 13 different ethnic costumes.

“Lillian is a dynamic chairperson,” said Principal Linda Kakes. “With a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye, she convinces everyone it will be fun. She’s super organized but always open to suggestions. Under her guidance this has become a major event that everyone raves about. I believe that it is wonderful for community building and is a major reason why students get along so well with each other and have such respect for other cultures.”

The event brochure sums it up the best: “Visa not required, due to the great rapport and friendship among the cultures. And it’s happens at Simonds every year.”