The globe took on a different shape at Wetumpka Middle School for Multicultural Day.
Students, parents and staff celebrated the many different backgrounds of the students and staff at the school. It is all part of an idea of Spanish teacher and Puerto Rico native Jessica Tapia.
Cliff Williams / TPI Puerto Rico native and Wetumpka Middle School Spanish teacher Jessica Tapia dances with students from the school as it hosted Multicultural Day.
“I once depended on my son to translate for me what teachers were saying,” Tapia said. “This grew from an idea about five years ago.”
Hosted by the WMS Spanish Club, the Multicultural Day is open to everyone. Students did their own research and made displays about what they learned. Some students represented their own countries.
They learned about various countries’ history, culture, food and famous people. Students then created presentation boards with what they learned. Some even prepared food from their country of study. The students also welcomed the ESL and exchange students from Wetumpka High School as well.
“We had 57 countries from six continents represented here,” Tapia said. “They all go from table to table learning from each other about the other countries.”
Mexican parents prepared Horchatas, which is a drink with rice, milk and cinnamon. Others fixed pastries. While others brought candy only found in their country. Band students performed music from the various countries.
Leading a program such as the Multicultural Day at Wetumpka Middle School is a long way from when Tapia came to the U.S. She had to depend on her then five-year-old son to translate for her in the schools. Tapia is now the school’s Spanish teacher and Spanish Club advisor. It’s the club responsible for organizing the event.
“I just do it for the students,” Tapia said. “We want to spread culture around like knowledge. It is a big world. There are so many different cultures in not only the U.S. but Alabama. We can all learn from one another.”
