Enjoying An Evening Of Other Cultures At Hawley School

By Kendra Bobowick

Families enjoyed a taste and even touch of other cultures Friday February 9 during the Hawley School International Dinner sponsored by the PTA.

“We’re expanding the taste buds,” said event co-chairman and Third Vice President Wendy Olson. The evening saw students and their families enjoying Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisine and a mix of enchiladas, Mexican rice, cheese lasagna, chicken tenders, vegetable lo mein, beverages, and desert.

Aside from whetting their appetites, the evening’s guests “traveled.” Prior to the event, Ms Olsen said, “They will go around like it’s a mini Epcot Center and get a passport, have their photo taken, and then go to Africa.”

Introducing the students to other cultures is important to Ms Olson, she said. Just like real-world travelers with well-worn passports, the Hawley School International Dinner participants’ passports were stamped with a record of each destination, Ms Olsen said.

They “journeyed” to Japan, Egypt, Africa, Australia, and China to complete projects including a mask, an origami figure, cartouche bracelet, and boomerangs. Those with full passports received awards.

Food and crafts particular to one culture or another were also accompanied by music. Welcomed Friday was Dennis Waring’s production of “Music Around The World,” which added the element of sound to the evening’s activities.

Mr Waring’s program “uniquely combines music, art, history, geography, and social studies into an insightful programs of global awareness,” according to a description on his website, waringmusic.com.

Following the International Dinner, Ms Olsen said the evening was, “A wonderful community gathering,” with a few surprises. She commends the high school students who volunteered their time to make Mardi Gras masks with the younger students.