DECATUR -- Heritage: A word defined in Webster's dictionary as "anything passed on to heirs or succeeding generations, but applies usually to something other than actual property or material things." In this day and age, it is easy to forget one's heritage, to get lost in the modern technologies that surround us. One Decatur school challenged students to find their heritage and to remember where their ancestors came from.
Decatur Middle School held Cultural Day in the cafeteria at Decatur High School Oct. 27. The goal was to explore the rich cultural diversity that makes up Decatur and the surrounding area.
The fifth- through eighth-grade students were tasked with researching the origins of their families and making an exhibit that explained their ancestry and their cultural diversity.
The end result was research into a wide variety of countries and cultures from Central America, Europe and Asia. This was not limited to just countries but to states within this country.
Several states, mainly centered around the central United States, included Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, and, of course, Arkansas. Each student had to tell a little about their chosen state, including the map, fun facts and attractions.
The end results were more than displays filled with facts about each country and culture. A few displays featured artwork, currency, fashions and examples of the local cuisine.
For the students at Decatur Middle School, the brief trip to other countries was a real learning experience. It showed that, although Decatur may be a small community in Northwest Arkansas, it holds a multitude of cultures that can co-exist as one and come together as one.
General News on 11/09/2016