Schuchard Elementary hosted their 2^nd annual cultural celebration this month, inviting students to share their culture with their classmates and for seven outside groups to present their culture to the school.

“The students are in awe of what they are hearing about,” Schuchard Principal Steve Slancik said.

“A lot of our kids have rarely, especially because of COVID these past two years, ventured outside of southeast Michigan. To hear groups talking about seeing things that are in movies, like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, the kids are mesmerized by it.”

Each grade had the chance to hear from two different groups in addition to any students who shared about their culture with their class.

Schuchard 6^th grader, DJ Hanoosh, decided to present his culture to his class as a Chaldean Christian.

“I shared a Subha, in English known as worry beads. What people use them for is if they are stressed or worried, they will keep them by their pocket and swish them in their hand bead by bead to help keep their hands occupied.”

“I was nervous to present, but I liked it – I think it was cool.”

Schuchard 2^nd grade teacher, Jennifer Caruss, enjoyed seeing the excitement on the kids faces throughout the cultural celebration.

“I just think it’s good for the kids to learn something new because everyone has a different culture and a different background,” Caruss said. “Understanding other people’s culture will help them better understand each other and if they understand each other they will get along better with others, too.”

Stevenson High School Advanced Placement (AP) French and Spanish students were invited to present and hopefully spark interest in the elementary students to get involved with a foreign language in junior high school and beyond.

Stevenson senior and AP French student, Taylor Dudley, felt it was important to present to the elementary students because it helps get them excited to learn about things.

“When you have no idea about something it can be hard to figure things out, but when it gets presented to you it can make you want to learn more.”

“It helps them be more worldly and open their eyes to see how everything is so connected.”

With such a largely diverse population at Schuchard, this event was implemented to ensure each student’s culture and ethnicity was celebrated.

“Regardless of who you are, where you’re from, your background, your religion – everybody has the opportunity to show our school community their culture,” Slancik said.