Annual Holidays Around the World Event Combines Learning and Fun

Highlands High School World Language student volunteers taught Highlands Elementary students about the holiday traditions of more than 20 countries on December 19. The elementary students traveled to five different countries (classrooms) where they received a stamp in their passport, practiced the language, sampled the food and played games as they learned about various holiday traditions. The elementary students were also visited by high school music student volunteers dressed as polar bears, trees and gingerbread cookies to add to the holiday fun. 

In preparation for the event, the high school World Language students researched the holiday traditions of their choice. Some chose to learn from their own families. For example, Emma Martinka who partnered with Anna Crowell and Brenna Vargo played a video of her grandparents sharing their favorite Christmas traditions in England as the elementary students sampled British sponge cakes. Booke Walker with her partner Alexis Sayles taught the elementary students the popular Greek folk dance Kalamatiano to honor her family’s heritage. Alexxia Latour expanded on her Hanukkah lesson from last year with her new partners Natalia Cook and Hannah Misejka to facilitate a game with the elementary students where they identified kosher Chanukiahs (Hanukkah menorahs) and tasted delicious latkes.

Other high school students chose to learn about holiday traditions from current or former AFS students or friends. Sydney Peppler and Natalie Stello learned about Christmas in Portugal with former AFS student Beatriz Santos several years ago. This year they expanded their group and lesson by learning  from current Highlands AFS student Maria Rita Sousa from Portugal and partnering with Adele Misejka. Additionally, Abella Valenti-Baker reached out to 2025 Highlands graduate Agastya Narang to learn about Holi, the Indian festival of colors, and with her partner Baylei Hazlett taught the elementary students how to say the colors in Hindi as they sampled colorful sugar cookies.

One of the goals of the event is to compare holiday traditions around the world. Both the high school and elementary students concluded that there are many similar traditions around the world and also some unique and interesting differences. Another goal of the event is for high school students to reflect on creating and teaching a lesson as a career and work experience. Many of the high school students found the experience to be meaningful and some would consider a career in teaching or training. 

Thank you to our high school volunteers for their engaging lessons and elementary students for their enthusiasm. We also extend our gratitude to High School Principal Mr. Baughman and Elementary School Principal Mrs. Kumar for supporting this annual event and the teachers for organizing it, including Mrs. Proano, Mrs. Gettens, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Colberg, Mr. Novak and Mr. Zeiler. A special thanks to ABC Transit for donating the buses for transportation between HHS and HES.

1. Cameroon - Dean Besterman, John Kraeger, Ryan Maloney, Shalem Massena, Cainen McCann, Ryan Maloney
2. Costa Rica - Addison Imler, Evy Lentz, McKinley Snyder, Allie Valesek
3. Ecuador - Alexis Arms, Bailey Pierce
4. Egypt - Abby Koharchik, Abby Pomaybo, Wyatt Wall
5. England - Anna Crowell, Emma Martinka, Brenna Vargo
6. Finland - Bella Gardner, Olivia Werle, Natalie Petika
7. France - Addison Arms, Ava Josefoski 
8. Germany - Aubrey Bowser, Luciana Cirino, Dean Hoover 
9. Greece - Alexis Sayles, Brooke Walker 
10. Guatemala - Braden Petit, Luisa Petz, Monse Petz
11. Hanukkah - Natalia Cook, Alexxia Latour, Hannah Misejka
12. India - Baylei, Hazlett, Abella Valenti-Baker
13. Iceland - Kylee Davenport, Elliana Davenport
14. Italy - Lenlie Baillie, Will Woody
15. Japan - Aiyana Brennfleck, Elizabeth Hall
16. Mexico - Grainne Dignam, Beckham Ochoa
17. Nigeria - Ashley Ciciarelli, Dakota McIntyre, Sophia Simoni, Ava Wurst
18. Peru - Payton Bundy, Gabby Godfrey, Riley Murphy
19. Poland - Ashlyn Negley, Lorenzo Proano
20. Portugal - Adele Misejka, Sydney Peppler, Maria Rita Sousa, Natalie Stello
21. Spain - Lilith Calligan, Addison Delancey
22. Turkey - Dante Allen, Najeh Phillips
23. Zimbabwe - Nevaeh Griffey-Gross, Dawson Bartel