Students experience a world of culture

Students took center stage during the final day of a summer enrichment program in Georgetown with performances centered on the theme "Around the World."

Older students portrayed a wax museum exhibit of individuals from around the world, remaining perfectly still while doing it. Parents also enjoyed a slideshow and finally a stage performance by all students, from first-graders doing a traditional Mayan dance to second- and third-graders performing an epic folklore story and finally older students, up to fifth-grade, performing a cultural dance from Guatemala.

"We want our young people to step outside the box," said Dennis Minus, folklore and drama teacher in the summer program. "We tell the children to improvise and be individuals, and most of all, we do have fun."

The July 28 close of First State Community Action Agency's summer enrichment program at Georgetown Elementary School culminated five weeks of activities, including field trips to the beach, Dover Air Force Base, and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Participants also learned how to do research on computers as well as life lessons like how to stop bullying.

The program is a cooperative effort between La Casita and the Delaware Prevention Network. The two groups merged about five years ago to bring Hispanic and African-American children together.

First State Community Action Agency Executive Director Bernice Edwards thanked all the teachers for their great work with the children during the program.

"We could not have done this without the parents so I thank you all," said Edwards. "We are working to make sure each child is an individual in our program."

For more information on La Casita, Delaware Prevention Network or any programs sponsored by First State, go to www.firststatecaa.org.