HC show celebrates diversity

by David Laber
Staff Writer

They came from all corners of the world to prepare for a variety of professions, but Friday night Hocking College's international students came to share their cultures.

The 2002 International Fashion and Talent Show at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville gave the students an opportunity to show Southeast Ohio different ways to celebrate through various perceptions of music, dance and local garb, said Giles Lee, the show’s master of ceremonies and former HC international student from England.

The college boasts a diverse campus for a community college, said Lynn Hull, admissions director. More than 300 students represent about 50 countries. About 5,300 students are enrolled this year.

"When most people think of a community school, they think all of the students are local," Hull said. “Hocking College is different.”

Many of the international students come from the Caribbean because of the college’s partnership with Sandals and Super Clubs Resort. Students will come to get a business or hotel management degree, Hull said.

To attract other international students, HC has sister schools in the United Kingdom and Mexico and relies on alumni who return to their countries to tell potential students about the college, she said.

The old HC tradition brought about by 300 spectators bring the college’s international students together with Southeast Ohio. It also improves the students’ self-confidence and builds a sense of camaraderie, Lee said.

Following a traditional African dance performance with student Masedi Mogami from Botswana, Portia Naanne, also from Botswana, was disappointed because they skipped some of the kicks. Other students came to console her.

"No one could even tell you skipped a part," said Omar Brown, from the Dominican Republic. "You and Masedi were not looking over at each other as much as the morning show. It looked you were having a lot of fun."

But the show did not leave out American traditions. Two students from Southeast Ohio performed “Amazing Grace.” Chelsea Hindenach played the dulcimer — a stringed instrument that sits across the lap — while Sarah Fabiny sang.

“One culture that is often overlooked, which still has a lot to offer, is the Appalachian culture,” Lee said.

HC faculty member Ariana Ulloa coordinated the show and led the show’s grand finale — the parade of flags. As she announced each country represented at the college, students dressed in that country’s traditional clothing would come out with the country’s flag.

“Our students are very proud of their countries, as I hope you will see,” Ulloa said.

The show's theme was international heroes. Students from Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, Romania, Tanzania, Philippines and England told stories about their countries' heroes.

In a tribute to Sept. 11 and to show how the event affected every nation, the final flag was the U.S. flag. Two American heroes presented the flag; a Nelsonville firefighter and a HC campus safety officer.