Multicultural Fair increases diversity awareness

Ryan Moore
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 3

Doane's annual Multicultural Fair started last Friday when hundreds of area elementary through high school students visited Doane's campus to learn about diversity.
"I think the purpose of the Multicultural Fair is to inform younger children about differences in cultures and to accept them," said Gail Klitz, sophomore education major.
There were many stations that dealt with various cultures set up throughout campus. Each group would go through a rotation hitting multiple stations. These stations included: a mask-making station, learning about patterns in quilting, a station where the children made cultural specific musical instruments, an origami station and a station where students learned to write in Egyptian Hieroglyphics.
"It's nice that they have different activities, since some kids learn differently," said Shelly Wilson, Elliot Elementary 3rd grade teacher.
The activities of the day brought out an awareness of different cultures, diversity, and uniqueness for many according to some of the visiting students.
"Today, we learned about different people and how they are unique," said Venesa Salcido, a Crete student in 3rd grade.
The Doane students also showed the elementary students how to realize what makes each of them unique.
"I have black hair, and I can speak Spanish and that makes me unique," said Patricia Flores, also of Crete Elementary's 3rd grade.
The main purpose of the Multicultural Fair was to bring about an awareness of other cultures, the day served many other purposes as well.
"We're here to have fun," said Brooke Putty, Elliot Elementary 3rd grader.