Nestled in Southeast Ohio it might not seem like Hocking College would be home to many international students, but actually more than 220 students from 53 countries call HC home, HC International Programs director Ariana Ulloa said.

To celebrate the international students, HC will host the ninth annual Flag Day, which is a ceremony acknowledging international students.

Students will represent their home countries by introducing themselves and presenting the flag of their country, Director of Public Information Judy Sinnott said.

The event will be held at noon on Tuesday at Guinther Recreation Center.

Coordinator of Student Activities Connie Clemens said the event will begin with the students marching in with their flags.

They will then introduce themselves and present their country's flag as a representative of their home country.

Several American and international students will give speeches on cultural diversity. Steve Swart will then give the keynote speech, and the event will conclude with a song by a group of sixth graders from the Federal Hocking School District.

Besides the sixth graders singing, the Nelsonsille-York High School Marching Band will play as the students march in, and also will play the "Star Spangled Banner."

"It's an annual tradition highlighting the flags and international students from around the world," Clemens said. "It's a wonderful celebration. It represents the connection we've made at Hocking College, and where we are going.

"I think every year it gets even better. We're doing more than ever with this program," she said.

Ulloa said there are three important parts of the event: the community, the students and the staff.

She said they have invited people from the surrounding communities to join in the celebration.

"The most important thing of Flag Day is sharing of the culture. Not just the international culture, but the American culture with the international students," Ulloa said.

"This is the experience to share all this culture and show that all these countries from around the world are represented here," she said.

Clemens said HC also has tried to tie in classroom activities in conjunction with Flag Day.

HC is encouraging professors to have class discussions and projects on the effect of cultural diversity.