Addison Trail hosts International Fest Week

From Nov. 12 to 16, Addison Trail hosted its annual International Fest Week, during which 20 presenters spoke with students about their travels and experiences from throughout the world. Top left: Addison Trail alumna and District 88 Board of Education member Tina Haralambopoulos shares her experiences. Top right: District 88 Director of Technology, Teaching and Learning Dr. Aaron Lenaghan speaks about Israel and Egypt. Bottom left: Addison Trail staff member and Willowbrook alumna Rachel Cain discusses Germany, Australia, South Korea and Kenya. Bottom right: Addison Trail staff member Claire Sychta speaks about Spain.

Top left: Emily Peace presents about welcoming refugees and immigrants. Top right: Addison Trail alumnus John Walker speaks about Paris, London and Tokyo. Bottom left: Willowbrook alumnus and military veteran Nick Kozak speaks with students about his travels abroad. Bottom right: Susan Stewart speaks about Belize and Dominican Republic.

From Nov. 12 to 16, Addison Trail hosted its annual International Fest Week. That event culminated with the school’s annual International Dance Show on Nov. 16, which featured 17 dances that represented various countries/cultures. To view more pictures from the show, see the photo gallery below. Photos by HR Imaging

From Nov. 12 to 16, Addison Trail hosted its annual International Fest Week, during which 20 presenters spoke with 2,771 students in 142 classes (many students attended multiple presentations) about their travels and experiences from throughout the world.

Through those presentations, students were able to learn about 17 countries and many different cultures, topics and perspectives such as environmental engineering, mission trips, refugees and immigrants, peace corps, college internships, travel adventures, military experiences and more. 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 the top three selections were:

• First place (pictured above, left): Canada (Lindsay Bugajsky’s resource class)
  
  
• Second place (pictured above, center): South Africa (Jessica Sokolowski’s resource class)
  
  
• Third place (pictured above, right): Japan (Brankica Pulia’s resource class)

International Fest Week culminated with the school’s annual International Dance Show, which featured 17 dances that represented various countries/cultures. To view more pictures from the show, see the photo gallery below (photos by HR Imaging).

This year’s theme was “Helping Our Own, Helping Others,” which focused on supporting U.S. troops who are providing humanitarian relief throughout the world. Addison Trail hosted a “Cents for Service” drive to honor those serving in the military who are conducting humanitarian efforts overseas. Through that project and other International Fest Week proceeds, the school raised $1,000 for Operation Gratitude. According to www.operationgratitude.com, “Through the generosity and hands-on efforts of the American people, (Operation Gratitude) send(s) Care Packages to all who bravely serve our nation.”

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