Rice Elementary School celebrates Culture Week

Mary Kim Titla/ Apache Moccasin Students learned about Apache arts and crafts such as basket making during Rice Elementary Cultural Week.

San Carlos — Culture Week at Rice Elementary School began on Sept. 24 with a traditional blessing and four Apache songs. Various classes were asked to sing the National Anthem in Apache and recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Apache. Many members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe visited the classrooms to talk about Apache arts and crafts. Melissa Cobb showed students how to make Apache baskets. Students were encouraged to wear their traditional clothing every day. On Tuesday, Sept. 25, boys and girls proudly displayed their traditional outfits during the Fashion Show at Rice Gym. On Wednesday, Sept. 26, as many as 95 students entered the Frybread Contest. What was supposed to be a one day contest turned into a two day contest. Others wanted to participate but had to be turned down due to a time limit. The winners are as follows:

3rd grade

Maria Garabay

Reppert Cassadore

4th Grade

Kylee Logan

Cameron Norman

5th Grade

Uriah Antonio

Gracelyn Polk

6th Grade

Alexis Whitesinger

Jeremiah Josay

Judy Shorten, Specials Teacher, gave all participants a certificate for participating. On Thursday students and community members enjoyed cultural presentations. The program included a flutist Robert Wilson, Jr., the Rainbow Dance by Lanea Burdette, Randy Bush’s Crown Dancers and the Rice Elementary School Crown Dancers. A big thanks to the Specials Teachers for organizing the week-long event including Kathy Kitcheyan, Beverly Dewey, Judy Shorten, Marsha Goseyun, Joyce Johnson, Shirlene Descheny, Vera Swift, Phillip Titla, Jr., Dr. Rajan Das and Nathan Wright.