MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry elementary school hosted the Japanese Cultural Festival at the school here Nov. 23. The Shunan International Children’s Club, the Shunan Children’s Choir and the Yamaguchi Prefectural Shinnanyo High School Brass Band visited M.C. Perry elementary school to continue the ongoing friendship of the station and Shunan city.
“The original joining together of the two cities of Iwakuni and Shunan occurred after our elementary and high schools both did drives to support the Japanese community in Operation Tomodachi,” said Netra Harwell, M.C. Perry elementary school Educational Technologist. “Last year, Shunan city came down with their choir and their dancers to say thank you for our support of the entire country of Japan.”
This is the second year Shunan city had its performers visit the M.C. Perry elementary school in order to strengthen local bonds. “This year it is a continuation of that friendship that was established,” said Harwell. “It created a bond and a friendship that we hope will last a long time.”
The students of M.C. Perry elementary school benefit from these events by gaining a sense of understanding of the Japanese culture that surrounds them every day.
“I think exposure is the key because it then enriches (the student’s) world and it increases their willingness to go new places and try new things,” said Harwell. “I think that exposure is the first step to going off base, going into the community and doing what we can to establish long-term relationships with our Japanese friends.”
The day started with the performers visiting the 6th graders of M.C. Perry elementary school in their classrooms. The performers then went to recess with the students and ate lunch in the school cafeteria.
The performance started with the Shinnanyo High School Brass Band playing the Star Spangled Banner.
“I really enjoyed eating lunch here and getting to dance,” said Kirara Yeda, 9, dancer for the Shunan International Children’s Club, Children’s Dance Division.
Kirara Yeda, along with Juri Tanabe, 8, performed dances for the watching crowd.
The Shunan Children’s Choir then performed a musical, “Puss in Boots,” followed by a song from the choir and their teacher.
“I really want them to come back,” said Isaac Doering, 8, M.C. Perry elementary school student. “My favorite part was when the cats were singing and they went ‘rah!’”
After all the songs and plays, the performers presented the students and staff of M.C. Perry elementary school with paper cranes to symbolize the bond of friendship between Shunan city and the M.C. Perry schools.
Students at the M.C. Perry elementary school then presented the performers with gifts to demonstrate their gratitude for the show.