Last October 2018, the entire school community celebrated the United Nations Month with the theme, “Journey to Peace and Security.” Different activities were held such as Name-that-Flag Quiz Bee, Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, the MITIS Global Village and the Cultural Show, which allowed students to be abreast with various social issues and be more active and collaborative in addressing them.
The month-long celebration kicked-off with the Name-that-Flag Quiz Bee. All students participated in the first round of competition where they named the flags of different countries, territories, and global organizations. Students with the most correctly named flags from each class advanced to next round as class representatives. In the final round, participants went through three categories where they named flags in two minutes, they identified countries and territories using their blank maps, and they used their knowledge of current events to name different global peace and security issues. After the exciting final round held at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Armin Gabriel Mehr of Grade 3 and Anusha Menon of Grade 11 emerged as champions of the Elementary and High School divisions, respectively.
In order to further gauge students’ awareness of relevant social issues and improve their communication skills, the English Department sponsored the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. Students from Grades 4 – 12 were hand-picked to represent their respective classes. They were assigned to talk about gender equality, environment protection, poverty, and many more in front of the school community. In the end, Clara Isabel D. Novicio of Grade 9 and Maria Ana Katrina P. Naval of Grade 12 were awarded as Best Speakers of the competition.
The highlight of the UN Month Celebration was the MITIS Global Village. Classes from Grades 7 to 12 were assigned different countries that are facing challenges to maintain peace and security. Their task was to decorate the assigned part of the school hallways and showcase the said countries’ iconic landmarks and people, rich culture and history, and, most importantly, information on how these countries address their respective national struggles. During the culminating day of the celebration, the Global Village entries were opened to judges, teachers, parents, and students who enjoyed listening to the informative tour guides and tasting the famous national delicacies of the countries the classes represent. Grade 7 class showcased the colorful culture of the Philippines while Grade 8 students performed a dragon dance for their visitors in the booth for China. Meanwhile, Grade 9 learners discussed the unique political and social structures in North Korea and the Grade 10 class endeared everyone with the cultural revelry of Brazil. Finally, Grade 11 students allowed visitors to experience the American dream in their booth for the United States of America and the Grade 12 class gave its spectators a glimpse of grandeur that was Greece. During the awarding ceremonies, Grade 7 garnered the Best Street Food citation while Grade 12 class received the Best Information Board award. For the second year in a row, Edgardo Jose D. Duavit of Grade 10 was recognized as the Best Tour Guide of the Global Village. Lastly, the Best Hallway Design was bestowed to the Grade 12 class for their excellent presentation of Greece.
UN Month 2018 concluded with the Cultural Show which starred by elementary students wearing the colorful national costumes and speaking the national languages to introduce and represent different countries in the continent of Africa. The participants also performed a dance number which promotes unity and camaraderie among nations of the world. Anja Faye Julia B. Lavilla and Jiap Patrick Gabriel P. Gan of Grade 6 were awarded Best in National Costume award.
Beyond the colorful observance of the founding anniversary of United Nations, MIT International School hopes that the celebrations will help MITISzens realize their important social roles in promoting the essence of world peace.
