BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – Education brings people together, and ignorance pulls them apart.
That’s one of the lessons eighth-grade students of Millstone Township Middle School learned while celebrating their unique cultures during Diversity Day, held at the school on April 21.
“The objective of this day is to raise awareness and gain an appreciation of the cultural diversity that defines our nation,” Louise San Nicola, the school district’s spokeswoman said.
The day was the culminating activity for the students’ interdisciplinary unit covering the Holocaust, genocide, and ethnic and cultural tolerance, according to San Nicola.
“Our students must be aware of the perils that face us when diversity is not embraced, or at the very least tolerated,” San Nicola said.
During the special day of events, students rotated in groups to hear speakers who grew up or lived in different parts of the world.
Gouyi Zhan spoke about growing up in China. Robert Williams spoke about the culture of Japan, and Iliana Barcena spoke about living in Cuba under Fidel Castro’s regime.
Students also experienced a presentation by an actress, titled “Through the Eyes of a Friend.” Sponsored by the Millstone Township PTO, the event featured an interactive video about the life of Anne Frank, a young Jewish victim of the Holocaust known for her diary.
Survivors of the Holocaust also spoke to students. Paula Kapinsky and Frieda Herskowitz talked about surviving concentration camps, and Estee Rosenblum told students of her trials as a child who had to hide during the Holocaust.
At the end of the day, students shared desserts made from recipes that reflect their cultural heritage.