Students at Island Christian Academy showed off what they have learned about culture, history and geography March 26 at the annual cultural fair.
Each spring the school presents an academic fair to showcase students’ work. This year’s fair focused on cultures and history.
Students selected to either study and represent a culture, a historical figure, or a significant historical event. The gym bustled with barbarians, Romans, historic figures, kids dressed in ethnic costumes, great food and creative displays.
They were each evaluated by a pair of judges, based on an oral presentation as well as a physical representation of their chosen subject matter, said Brenda Chittim, Island Christian Academy principal. Although not a part of the judging process, students are also required to write a paper on their topic.
“This year many chose to dress up as the person from history and give a speech in character,” Chittim said. “Some chose to present a demonstration of food, dress, and even song from a particular culture, and still others created a scaled replica of a particular historical scene such as a battle,” she added.
Younger grades participated in age-appropriate class projects; and even the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten grades got their first taste at a fair. The youngest participants all proudly received participation ribbons.
The students made parents and teachers proud.
“Each year the fair requires significant work, but the finished product is worth the effort as students have a life-long memory of their piece of history,” Chittim said.
The winners are:
Third and fourth grade: first place, Sierra Wilmoth; second place, Kelsey Griswold-Bacigalupi, and third place, Amy Doolittle.
Fifth and sixth grade: first place, Gracie McGill and Christian Nance; second place, Megan Nance, and third place Carson Filla.
Junior high level: first place, Kaitlyn Lambeth; second place Kyli DeMers; and third place, Courtney Dunigan and Chloe Panichi.
High school level: first place, Shelby Lubchuk; second place, Jonathan Panichi; and third place Sonja Pringle-Keller.
People’s Choice Awards: Lilah Chappelle and Caleb Chittim.
The annual fair revolves in a three-year cycle with the school’s science and art fairs.
