Students Learning 'Culture Matters' During Special Event Friday

Submitted by Kelley Richards

World Languages Department

On Friday, the Winnacunnet High School World Languages Department will again be hosting Culture Matters, a day of programs and music geared to enhancing students’ understanding of other cultures.

This year’s installment will focus on Celtic culture, and include workshops and a performance by the band The Exiles. This will be the third annual presentation of this event to the WHS community.  Teachers from several curricular areas have been working hard to plan the event and build on interdisciplinary activities for increased student involvement and cultural awareness.

According to organizer Christine Edgar, the original program two years ago was a great success, and prompted the department to “head to a new part of the world.” Said Edgar, “Two years ago we brought multi-instrumentalist Randy Armstrong and Peruvian group Inca Son to Winnacunnet, and the students loved it. Last year we brought in Japanese Taiko drumming. Students were amazed at how different, but how much fun, world music and culture could be.”

According to organizer Kelley Richards, “Many of our students are exposed only to a narrow range of cultures. It is a treat to be able to open their eyes, and actually enable them to participate. Last year, many of our kids got to perform with an authentic Japanese drumming band.” She added that the day is focused on students seeking answers to three basic questions: “What is Culture? Why does it matter? and, What makes my Culture unique?”

Elsa Upham, organizer and French teacher, stresses that music is only a small part of the Culture Matters program. “There are also classroom presentations and talks and ways for the students to actually immerse themselves in a world culture.”

“The school, the students, and the administration have been extremely supportive of expanding our cultural knowledge,” she said, “And we are very appreciative of that.” Upham added that her entire department works hard on the planning, including Spanish teacher Jon Cross and Briana Kula, who teachers Latin.

The Friday programs wrap up a week of events involving the entire school, such as Celtic music during lunch performed by librarian Joanna Cyrus, a study by the science department on the genetics of red hair, a look a the wave of Irish immigration in Social Studies, as well as Irish literature in English, and Celtic food, music, art and trivia throughout the week.

Irish-themed prizes including jewelry, magnets, and wishing stones were generously donated by Ireland on the Square of downtown Portsmouth. 

There will be two concerts in the WHS Auditorium on Friday, May 25^th.  The first concert will begin at 10:30.  The second concert will begin at 1:15.  The public is invited to attend.