Second annual World Languages Week
Alana Galloway ’16 and Juliette Guice ’17
Convent of the Sacred students will accent their knowledge of other cultures in the second annual World Languages Week March 9 to 13. This five day event celebrates the five languages taught in the Upper School including Chinese, French, Spanish, Latin and Arabic.
Every morning meeting during World Languages Week has a specific theme, and focuses on a different language. Each language class will give a presentation ranging from reading poetry to singing songs or even creating a music video.
The week began with a ribbon dance performed by Sacred Heart’s Chinese I and II classes, taught by Upper School Chinese Teacher Mrs. Joanne Havemeyer. The chapel today focused on understanding between cultures and peace around the world.
To close the week, Sacred Heart will hold an open-mic for students to share their heritage through poetry, songs, or short stories. Friday, the community is invited to wear a shirt with the colors of their heritage, or a country whose language they study. Students are still required to wear the Sacred Heart skirt with their top.
Last year, the celebration included a flashmob, choreographed to the song “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony, which students performed in the Dubois gymnasium as a public display of cultural appreciation. Some students also presented renditions to the song “Let it Go” by Demi Lovato from the “Frozen” movie soundtrack, and the poem “Sensation” by Arthur Rimbaud in their language classes. Junior Gaby Lopez presented a personal documentary to represent her Guatemalan heritage with the community. This year’s World Languages Week continues to embrace other cultures, but there will not be another flash mob due to construction.
Upper School World Languages Chair and Spanish Teacher Mrs. Renée Rodriguez and Middle and Lower School Spanish Teacher and Co-Chair of World Languages Department Mrs. Holly Marvin organized this year’s World Languages Week.
Mrs. Rodriguez hopes that there will be a trivia contest similar to last year’s Beatles trivia that Upper School English Teacher, Chair of English Department Dr. William Mottolese held February 10 to 14. The school community can also look forward to a language class video highlighting student proficiency in foreign language.
This week, students and faculty are invited to enjoy flavors from different cultures during lunch, provided by Food Service Director, Mr. Jamey Patterson. Club AWARE (Are We All Really Equal) inspired a luncheon previously this year, and the World Languages Department hopes to represent more cultures through diverse dishes. In addition to foreign meals provided by the school, Sacred Heart is hosting “Around the World” lunches and encouraging students to bring in cultural foods. The lunches will take place on different days by grade and invite students to present various dishes from their heritages.
“We would love to expand the World Languages Week program to incorporate more cultures and languages,” Mrs. Rodriguez said.
Mr. Jon Shee, a teacher at Saint Luke’s, inspired the celebration of World Languages Week. He shared how much success his school had with the idea at a professional development event on campus where teachers were invited to share school customs.
“The World Languages Department and the students loved the sense of community that World Languages Week helps build. We loved the excitement and the buzz that is created by celebrating all of the languages we learn here at CSH,” Mrs. Marvin said.
Studying a foreign language unites various parts of the world by decreasing prejudices, according to Auburn University report.
Sacred Heart students look forward to embracing world cultures this week.
“Learning a different language helps break down stereotypes about different cultures,” Mrs. Marvin said.
– Juliette Guice, Staff Writer
