'Warde Day 2009' Celebrates Cultural Diversity & Traditions at Fairfield Warde High School

The following story was written by Genevieve Reilly, a staff writer for the Connecticut Post, and was published April 10. What activities or special events do you remember vividly from your days at Warde, and can you recall anything as significant as Warde Day 2009?

Fiona Haborak jumped off the blue and gold "chariot" when her trip around the Fairfield Warde High School courtyard came to an end. "That was awesome!" Haborak exulted as she ran to her friend, Sara Detrik.

The chariot rides for $1 were among the many activities being offered throughout the school Thursday as part of Warde Day 2009, a celebration of cultural diversity and traditions. Senior Mattias Mirabile, 17, gave a chariot ride to Italian teacher Marylyn Giacinto, above, in the courtyard of Warde. "If I could, I'd do it all day," he said. "It's such a nice day out. It's perfect toga weather."

Students toting small bowls of pasta or rice could learn about teaching English in Prague, a sister school project in Zimbabwe, or Chinese culture, to name a few of the presentations.

Back in the courtyard, members of the Latin Club were manning the human-powered chariot, which club members built for the annual Latin Day competition, according to Kate Cordone, 17, the club's president. "There'll be different kids pulling it," Cordone said, "and they'll all be wearing tunics."

Detrik and Haborak, both 15, easily declared the chariot rides their favorite activity of the day. "There's a lot of good food, but the chariot ride is the best," Haborak said. "It makes you happy inside." Both said the Warde Day events give students a chance to experience other cultures, rather than just reading about them in a book.

In the photo below, Seniors Jaime Bernstein and Aquiles Gallardo, center, and their classmates practiced the merengue during a salsa dancing class.

Meanwhile, in the gym, Elena Pannikoda and Ashley Pallathra were making sure things were all set for their Indian dance and fashion show. The two 17-year-olds both said they have been dancing for a while.

Decked out in traditional Indian garb with tinkling bells around their ankles, Pallathra said, "It's a good time and we're really proud of our culture. We love sharing it with everyone."

In the library, students followed the step-by-step instructions from math teacher Jaclyn Otterspoor as they folded small white pieces of paper that would become part of an origami flag quilt.

At one table, a group of seniors mixed their paper folding with talk of college. "My lines are all messed up," said Rachel Friedman. "How is there still room to fold?" wondered Amanda Sims. "I got it!" Sabrina Sicialiano proudly proclaimed.

Now that the folding was done, the students had to pick a nation's flag to draw on a small square of paper that would be attached to their origami. Otterspoor urges them to pick a country from the list she passed around, which represents the ethnic heritage of all the students in the school.

"In my four classes, we had over 40 countries; now, I think it's up to about 70," she said. When the flag quilt is done, Otterspoor said, it will be hung near the front entrance of the school. "Hopefully, as the years go on, we'll add more," she said.

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".