American Spirit Project shows importance of cultural diversity in Iowa
For Immediate Release March 27, 2002
DES MOINES, Iowa—On September 11, 2001, terrorists took thousands of
lives, shocking the nation and the world in a series of attacks. As the dust began
to clear, the nation came to grips with the worst attack ever on American soil,
and an amazing spirit emerged from the rubble—an American spirit.
Crestview Elementary students in Clive will experience that American spirit during
“Crestview Goes Global, A Folklife Celebration,” April 1-5. Featuring interactive
sessions to highlight geographic and ethnic regions in the world, students will
participate in dance, music, crafts and storytelling to discover the rich and
diverse traditions of families at Crestview.
“The object of the week-long program is to create an understanding between students
of different cultures and to promote pride in both their heritage and in being
an American,” said Shelly Soorholtz, a Crestview parent who helped organize the
event.
Each day will focus on geographic areas of the world with cultural activities
to match. Activities scheduled include African storytelling, Middle Eastern belly
dancers, Bosnian art forms, international drums, Hispanic music, European puppet
tales, a Middle Eastern immigration story, and origami. The events will conclude
on Friday with an all-school assembly celebrating the American Spirit.
Crestview received an American Spirit Project grant from the Iowa Department of
Cultural Affairs to help cover costs of the folklife celebration. The American
Spirit Project was launched following the attacks in September to encourage Iowans
to document, commemorate and interpret a renewed sense of pride in being an American.
“Every American found their own way to respond to this national tragedy,” said
Anita Walker, Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “Throughout
Iowa, artists, historians, schools, communities, individuals and cultural organizations
are finding unique ways to put the events in context and interpret their meaning.
Now we can begin to witness those interpretations as the American Spirit Projects
are completed.”
Funded projects will be unveiled Sept. 11, 2002, during a special event at the
State Historical Building.
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