Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

September 24, 2008, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground holds Diversity Day

By Peter Spicer

Diversity Day brought over 400 public and home-school students to The Highground Tuesday, Sept. 16 (2008).

Presenters at 12 classes gave students a variety of information at the event, which also allowed students to learn about the Highground?s history and memorials.

Neillsville eighth grade, Nasonville fifth grade, Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan Elementary, Marshfield Lincoln Elementary, Tomah Middle School International Club, and Phillips eighth-grade and home-school students attended the event.

Dale and Pam Bowden of the Wisconsin Kiters, Bill Snedic, Chris Schmitz of the DNR, the Center for Independent Living, Connie Szak of Hollands Family Cheese, Joan Johannes, Carol Bender and Dan and Sevilla Swartzentruber presented at Diversity Day.

Highground Director Kirk Rodman opened the day by explaining why Tom Miller founded the Highground; students then recited the ?Pledge of Allegiance.?

Presenters from many cultural backgrounds explained their culture to students and displayed many cultural and historic items.

Wisconsin Kiters Dale and Pat Bowden helped students assemble kites throughout the day.

Students let their kites fly in the wind during The Highground?s Diversity Day held Tuesday, Sept. 16.  Learning to assemble kites from the Wisconsin Kiters was one of many learning experiences for students at the event.

?Building a kite is all about mathematics,? explained Pat Bowden to Phillips School District students assembling the kites.

Snedic displayed Slovenian artifacts, including a hand-carved skeleton, hay dryer, cabbage shredder, garlic box and a dowry chest, to students.

Bill Snedic (l) explains and displays Slovenian artifacts for students during Diversity Day held Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at The Highground.  Snedic?s displays included a dowry chest, garlic box and hay dryer. (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

Center for Independent Living representatives displayed items that handicap individuals use and adjustments they make on a daily basis.  Blindfolded games of tic-tac-toe and putting together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with one hand were activities students participated in to give them a glimpse into daily life as a handicapped person. The Center for Independent Living, based in Dane County, covers 10 counties, including Clark County. 

Bender, sporting a Norwegian sweater, displayed a variety of Swedish art for students to view and explained its cultural significance.

Szak presented information and facts about Holland, including what the country produces.

Joan Johannes played Native American flute music; Dan and Sevilla Swartzentruber displayed Amish baskets for students.

?I think it was an awesome day,? said Rodman.  ?The kids really enjoyed it.?

The presenters did an excellent job communication with students, said Rodman, who added the event gave students a chance to view and learn more about The Highground.

?[Diversity Day] was something that the community can be proud of,? concluded Rodman.