The elementary division of Students Organizing Against Racism (SOAR) hosted its first-ever Games from Around the World event on April 23. Participants took part in cultural activities such as Dragon Tail tag, a traditional Chinese game where players form a line and the “heads” try to catch the “tails”, along with Seven Stones, an ancient Indian game where teams take turns knocking down “stones”.
The event provided SOAR members with an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills while encouraging younger students to explore diverse cultures through interactive games and activities. “We wanted this event to be simple enough that the elementary students in SOAR would be able to run it themselves,” Elementary SOAR advisor and counselor Ms. Spaeth said.
Beyond logistics, Ms. Spaeth also ensured that the program resonated with SOAR’s goals and ideologies. “We wanted this event to promote belonging and understanding different people, different cultures, and celebrate different cultures,” Ms. Spaeth said.
For the participants, the games clearly delivered. “My favorite activity was jumping over the lake, dragon tail, and knocking over the pins and cups,” third grader Yitong Li said.
At its core, Games from Around the World proved to be an opportunity for students to learn about different cultures and develop an appreciation for cultural diversity. The success of the event also sparked new ideas for the future. “It would be interesting not only to do games but also activities, crafts, or food from around the world, like different ways to appreciate different countries and cultures,” Ms. Spaeth said.
