Addison Trail hosts International Fest Week

From Feb. 12 to 16, Addison Trail hosted its annual International Fest Week, during which presenters spoke with students about their travels and experiences from throughout the world. Top left: Simone Cooper with Northwestern Mutual presents about “Flying Solo around the World.” Top right: Katie Sershon, Senior Manager, Internal and External Communications + Email Marketing | Retail at JLL, presents about “Paraguay, Where? - How an unknown country 5,000 miles away changed my world.” Bottom left and right: Dale Hanstad, Recreation Division Manager with the Village of Glendale Heights, presents about “We'll always have Paris: Les Souvenirs de France.”

Top row: During International Fest Week (Feb. 12 to 16), Addison Trail’s International Club hosted a Dec-A-Door event, where resource classes chose a country and decorated their door to represent that location/culture. Pictured are the top three doors - (from left) Jessica Sokolowski’s class won with their Italy decorations; second place went to the class of Dan Fernandez, who represented Egypt; third place went to the class of Kallie Haney, who represented France. Bottom: Flags from throughout the world filled the halls of Addison Trail during the school's International Fest Week. Addison Trail parent Juanita Rodriguez helped with that display.

Students perform during Addison Trail's International Dance Show on Feb. 16, the culminating event of the school's International Fest Week. Photos by HR Imaging

From Feb. 12 to 16, Addison Trail hosted its annual International Fest Week, during which 26 presenters spoke to more than 3,400 students in 188 classes about their travels and experiences from throughout the world.

Through those presentations, students were able to learn about many different cultures. Addison Trail partnered with Junior Achievement of Chicago to coordinate and organize the speakers.

During the week, Addison Trail’s International Club hosted a Dec-A-Door event, where resource classes chose a country and decorated their door to represent that location/culture. The goal was to show that Addison Trail encompasses many nationalities, but is one Blazer Nation. The decorations were judged, and Jessica Sokolowski’s class won with its representation of Italy. As the winners, those students will receive a pizza party.

International Fest Week culminated with the school’s annual International Dance Show, which featured 17 dances that represented various countries/cultures. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to UNICEF. According to https://www.unicef.org, “UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.”

For more information about International Fest Week, contact Addison Trail Assistant Principal Iridia Niewinski at iniewinski@dupage88.net or 630-628-3307.