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MIX Day：Experience the Lives of Famous Writers, Philosophers

June 3, 2019

This years’ Multicultural International Exposition Day had the students in grades 9-11 theme their classrooms in honor of a writer or philosopher. Over 20 writers or philosophers chosen by the students included John Green, Maya Angelou, Rumi, and Karl Marx—to name a few!

Working with their English teachers, the students used their knowledge and creativity to decorate their room, dress in character, provide and explain excerpts of their writing, and to present information about the ideas and history of their historic figure. Every visitor’s favorite aspect were the food and treats provided, which were creatively related to the person they studied. Colorful and fluffy cotton candy could be found on in the Dr. Seuss party, tasty dumplings meant to look like eyeballs could be found in the Dracula’s Lair, and Victorian biscuits and tea was served in Mary Shelley’s study.

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But the school event, held on Friday the 31st of May, was an educational opportunity for all. Students were encouraged to complete a series of tasks meant to demonstrate their connection with that writer. Visitors to Kafka’s room were given a series of impossible-to-complete puzzles to demonstrate the grotesque futility of life. The Surrealist room asked visiting students to make a piece of absurd art to show the subjectivity of reality. Visitors to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s room were temporarily imprisoned in Stalin’s gulag to perform menial labor. Regardless of the experience, students were encouraged to be creative and empathetic with the wide variety of cultures they experienced.

Furthermore, “MIX Day provides a unique opportunity for students of all grades and levels to work creatively together on the challenge of authentically portraying their writer in a way that teaches as well as entertains,” organizer Ms. Gordon said about the successful event. No doubt, everyone who walked through the decorated halls and classrooms of the Xian Mian building left with a greater appreciation for the diversity of human thought and the capability of human creativity. Our students can be so impressive!

(English Version written by Daniel Hartmann Pictures by high school teachers and students from Grades 9-12)