TFS celebrates Global Community

Lane Gresham, Director of Communications and Media at Tallulah Falls School (TFS) reports the events surrounding the celebration of cultural diversity at TFS are much anticipated each year.  A performance showcase, adjusted for format and timing due to the pandemic, came together on Feb. 15. Blended learning students from around the world submitted videos to be integrated into the live performances staged in the theater.  According to faculty sponsor Jennifer Walker, International Day is especially meaningful for this group of students.  “They are proud to share their home with their friends and teachers. It makes me proud to see them as citizens of the world – standing out, representing their whole country, but mostly I am impressed by the struggle – it is scary to be on stage and to speak in front of your whole school!” Walker said. “These kids are great about celebrating each other and encouraging each other to walk through that fear. It’s really quite an accomplishment for them to do this.”  Emcees for the event, seniors David Rodriguez Moreno of Spain and Khalisah Momoh of Marietta, kept the program flowing smoothly during the transitions.  Rodgriguez, a repeat International Day performer, was excited to host this year.  “International Day is very important for me because the diversity in our school is shown,” he said. “I always have a lot of fun practicing and doing it because I get a lot of support from numerous people.”  For Momoh, she said the experience allows the TFS learning community to highlight various cultures and celebrate diversity.  “It is also a great learning experience and has taught me numerous details on different cultures worldwide,” she said. “Additionally, learning about different cultures from my peers somewhat unites us and allows us to form closer relationships with each other.”  This year’s showcase included Serbia, Montenegro, Africa/Caribbean, China, South Korea, Mexico, and Spain, a portion of the 18 countries represented in the school’s student body.  Senior Junho So of South Korea and junior Jerry Sang of China provided technical support for the program.  A video of the show will be released on Feb. 19.