International High School Announcements

Facts and stories are being read during student announcements in an effort to increase global awareness. These announcements are recorded here.

Friday, May 2, 2003 PE Department Read by: Cierra Luckett

The Olympics - The modern symbols in the olympic games represent a perfect example of internationalism. For example, did you know each of the 5 colored rings symbolizes the joining of each of the five continents during an athletic event? In addition, the universal symbol of the flame represents the importance of working together for the unity of mankind. Overall, the ceremonies symbolize the united community of different societies, despite various socio-cultural backgrounds, contributing to a peaceful coexistance between all nations.

Friday, May 9, 2003 Multicultural Education Department Read by: Nayeon Kang

Hello. I am Nayeon Kang. Some of my friends call me Joanne. I'm from Korea and I'm a sophomore. I came here last September because my father is a visiting professor at the U of I.

At first, everything was strange to me. Classrooms, schedules, friends and so on. When I was in Korea, my school life was really simple. I went to school at 7:30 AM and came home at 10:00 PM. I spent a whole day in school with my classmates. We studied together and ate lunch and dinner together. I used to wear a school uniform and my hair was always short because of school rules. I couldn't choose my classes because we had certain courses for each grade and I stayed in the same classroom except for P.E., music and German. Instead teachers had to move. I used to play with my friends between classes for ten minutes. I thought 10 minutes was too short. Now I'm always busy moving from classroom to classroom. In Korea I was in the same classroom for 3 years That's why friendship was very important to me. I was always a class president in my school, thus, I thought I had lots of experience with people and society. But after I came here, I realized there is another world that I didn't know.

First of all I was very nervous. I always had been a cheerful and friendly girl, but when I came here, I was afraid to talk with other people. There were different skin colors, cultures, and languages.

Now I don't have to wear a uniform so I can express my own style, and I can learn new subjects. I also enjoy being in school clubs. I think I'm a really lucky girl. I love to talk with my good friends. Because of them I have learned how to speak better English.

The most important thing is I have learned how to live with international students, sharing their ideas, cultures, friendship, and knowledge.

Thank you very much for listening. I'm really glad to stay and study at Urbana High School.

May 16, 2003 Social Studies Department Read by: Priya Ghosh, Heather Stewart, and Maya Bauer

International Clubs

Whoever said that high school students don't care about anything but themselves is about to be proven wrong, because today you all have a chance to stand up and help out. Here at our very own Urbana High School three internationally active clubs meet every week.

After school on Mondays a group of students meet for SWI, Students for World Improvement. They participate in many events annually which have been huge successes. The Oxfam Hunger Banquet raised over $2,000 dollars for Oxfam America. SWI also organized LGBT Awareness Week. They organized two Concientious Objector workshops, and discussions on Iraq and Afghanistan. SWI meets in Ms. Hanna's room, 2163, after school on Mondays.

Amnesty International is another club active here. Amnesty works to prevent worldwide Human Rights Violations by sending letters weekly to governments around the world to free people who are prisoners being held illegally and brutally. Some prisoners of conscience have been saved and released because of these letters. Amnesty hosts holiday card making parties to make cards for prisoners, and held a discussion for students about the death penalty. Amnesty International meets after school on Tuesdays in Mr. Freedman's room, 2103.

The Key Club is also a community service organization. this year at Halloween they "trick or treated" for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. They raised $135.00 at UHS. The Key Club also raked leaves for the elderly, gathered donations for the March of Dimes, and helped needy children get toys. Key Club meets at 7:35 A.M. in Ms. Bajema's room, 2224.

Check out the Environment Club returning next year.

Remember the power to change begins with you...and you...and you...and with action today and tomorrow there is always the possibilty.....

May 23, 2003 Foreign Language Department Read by: Emily Swann, Beni Atibalentja, Mary Weber, and Danisha Williams

We Are the World

Becoming successful in the 21st Century necessitates the understanding of other cultures: how those cultures affect our lives and how their lives are affected by us. To meet this need Urbana High School has been designated a pilot school for the Illinois International High School Initiative. One of its purposes is to expand our understanding of international cultures and issues. UHS accomplishes this purpose through experiences provided by our International Clubs - Asian-American Club, African-American Club, and foreign language clubs of German, French, and Spanish.

Here are Danisha Williams, Mary Weber, Benji Atibalentja, and Emily Smann to talk about the activities of these clubs.

African American Club

The Urbana High School African American Club has been in existence since the early 70's. The club membership is open to all UHS students, however, the focus is to develop leadership skills and a sense of pride among African American students attending UHS. The club is a service organization and has been involved with numerous service ventures in the community. The club has visited several nursing homes in the community and provided gifts to residents. Each year the club adopts two needy families and provides food baskets for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The club works cooperatively with several programs at the University of Illinois and our students are encouraged to participate. The club works with other African American groups from Central and Centennial High School in student exchanges, the Ebony Ball, which was started at Urbana High School and a host of other social and educational events. In past years the club has sponsored trips to Black colleges in this region. Besides the bake sales, candy drives, dances and amusement park trips, speakers from various community groups come to the meetings to talk with the students on a variety of topics ranging from preparing for college, financial aide opportunities, campus events and community programs available for African American students. Let's not forget on of the group's big events. The annual talent show is something that the group looks forward to putting on and the event has gotten better and better over the years.

The club currently has 20-25 memebers and meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the lecture hall. During the next school uear the club will host its meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. This year's president is Danisha Williams; vice-president is Victoria Whiteside; secretary is Faith Puryear.

German Club

Guten Tag! Ich heisse Mary Weber und ich bin Mitglied des Deutschklub an Urbana High School. German Club is an opportunity outside the classroom to further the cultures of the German-speaking countries. Common activities are Oktoberfest, watching movies in German, selling apfelstrudel at Tailgreat, and meeting with German exchange students. Where else can a German student mingle with other students interested in the language? German Club meets approximately once a month in Frau Bequette's classroom 1152.

French Club

French Club meets 3-4 times a year. Its activities are about the people and cultures of all French-speaking countries. All levels of French students are welcome, as are students not currently enrolled in French class. There are UHS students who speak French, but are not taking courses. They participate and share their viewpoints and information. French is spoken during the activities, some times more than others. Sample activities have been makeing Christmas cards, decorations or cookies, tavelogues, trivia competitions, and field trips. French Club participates in Tailgreat with a "confiserie" which is a candy store. The club has also worked with German and Spanish Clubs in a joint celebration of Mardi Gas. Student groups have traveled to France in the past, and will again, as the opportunities present themselves. So, "Vive la Francophonie!"

Spanish Club

Spanish Club is open to all students in 5-6 or higher, but on special occations, students from 1-2 and 3-4 are invited. Meetings always involve food and some sort of social game typical of a Hispanic country. For example, our first meeting of the year featured quesadillas and Loteria, a Mexican pictorial Bingo game. Spanish Club is a great place for friends to meet once a month to enjoy food together and speak a little Spanish. Each year junior and senior members are chosen to serve on the Executive Voard. This year's members are Kai Amundsen, Emily Swann, and Valerie Billing.

Next year, please consider joining one of these clubs. After all, we are the world!