The Winona Area Catholic Schools have much to be thankful for. On Oct. 23, the Winona State University Cultural Outreach Program presented "Many Nations: One Family" to grades kindergarten through 6 at St. Stanislaus School.

Starting at 6:30 a.m., about 160 Winona State University international students got off the buses in the dark and pouring rain. They were wearing cultural clothing and bearing flags and artifacts of their respective countries. After eating a breakfast provided by our PTP, the students went to set up one of

15 presentations. By 8 a.m., the presentations by students from Kenya, Tanzania, Mali, China, Bangladesh, Taiwan, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Albania and Ukraine began.

Our students "traveled" to at least six different countries, bearing passports stamped by each country. They learned some of the language, dance, song and children's games played in those countries. The older students were able to visit the "Hunger Around the World" presentation, which taught them about the plight of so many children who do not have enough food or clean water. Older students were also able to visit a restaurant where they were treated to foods of Nepal. The afternoon was topped off by the "Parade of Nations" a grand finale of songs, dances and flags from around the world. It even included a fashion show modeled by WSU and WACS students.

Comments by some of our WACS students were: "Did they just fly here?" "We're going around the world today, and we don't even have to get on an airplane!" "This is the best day of my life!"

Out of the blue this week, one of my students said, "I remember the Chinese dance!" He started doing the steps, and about 10 of his classmates joined him. Another student, doing a report on tigers, was so excited to see that they lived in Nepal!

These little connections make a big world a lot smaller.

We thank the Winona State University International Students for preparing such wonderful presentations for our students. Much time, talent and thought went into those presentations. We also thank them for the warmth and friendliness extended to our WACS family. We became one family that day.

We thank Mariya Ilcheva, who coordinated the classroom presentations, and Prapti Shrestha, who coordinated the Grand Finale, both WSU Cross Cultural Outreach Program student coordinators. We thank C.K. Kwai, assistant director of WSU International Service and Cultural Outreach Program, for the help before, during and after the event. We are forever grateful to Terri Markos, director of the WSU International Service and Cultural Outreach Program, who works tirelessly to connect cultures.