April 30, 2003

Glenn Loomis stages diverse celebration

Bagpipes, cricket and folk tales part of Friends Around the World Week

By
Herald staff writer

      Bagpiping, Hungarian dance, cricket and folk tales from Zimbabwe were all part of the second annual Friends Around the World Week celebration at Glenn Loomis Elementary School last week.
      In cooperation with Northwestern Michigan College and Traverse City Area Public Schools English as a Second Language staff, Glenn Loomis invited international students from the college as well as Traverse City Central High School and community members to share their cultural heritage during special events throughout the week and at a special assembly on Friday.
      Fifth and sixth-grade students learned all about the game of cricket from Englishman Gavin Richmond who attends NMC. They showed off their new skills, giving a demonstration of the sport to the school at Friday's assembly.
      Bagpiper John Meek traveled from Alpena to share his favorite form of music. Dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt, he explained how the bagpipes work and the history of the instrument.
      Gevas Moyo of Zimbabwe told the story of the Yummy Yummy Walking Stick and it's magical powers to an attentive crowd as they passed an example of the highly carved staff among them.
      Moyo, who hosts the weekly radio show "Marco Polo" on WNMC, has been a regular visitor throughout the school year.
      "He has kept our enthusiasm going, he is our new best friend. This is all about celebrating the diversity in each and every one of us," said Glenn Loomis social worker, Carol Stetler.
      Not only did the Glenn Loomis students get a chance for a multi-cultural experience, their international guests did as well.
      "This is a great chance for our students to get out into the community and share with an audience. They also have a chance to see what our elementary schools are like," said Jim Bensley, Northwestern Michigan College director of international recruiting.
      Fourth, fifth and sixth-grade students also had a chance to explore their own cultural heritage by participating in an essay contest entitled "Discovering Who We Are By Digging for Our Roots." First place winners Rose Fox and Nicole Chiaravalli will be guests of Moyo on an upcoming radio show.