Children Say ‘Aloha’ in Many Languages

Out on the blacktop at Bertrand Avenue Elementary School on Friday, dozens of kindergarten students stood poised in wide circles, waiting to perform the carefully choreographed Roaring ‘20s routine they’d practiced for weeks.

Dressed as carefree flappers and dapper gentlemen, the performance went exactly as planned--that is until a breeze began blowing off the boys’ faux straw hats. Still, the teachers didn’t mind.

“The more mistakes, the cuter it looks,” Carmen Martinez said afterward.

The event was the Reseda school’s annual multicultural program, a campuswide showcase of dances and traditions from around the world that included more than 500 participants from all of the grades. This year’s show featured demonstrations from Hawaii, Mexico, Africa and America.

While some of the younger students may not understand the rituals of other cultures, teacher Gloria Carrillo said the experience gives them an opportunity to learn. “Overall it’s a really good thing because they learn from each other,” she said.

The morning began with a greeting from Principal Joe Aguirre and a song performed by second-graders titled “Hello to All the Children of the World” that welcomed family members and friends in many languages.

Next up was the 70-member Danza Azteca, an all-girl troupe composed of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders who performed a number of traditional Aztec dances before an enthusiastic crowd of camera-toting parents.

“When you do it, you’re enjoying it,” explained 11-year-old dancer Deanna Rodriguez. “You’re not doing it because you have to.”

Dressed in colorful costumes, the girls hopped, kicked and twirled to the pounding drumbeats echoing across the playground. The troupe rehearses after school Tuesdays under the direction of volunteer John Estrada.

“We’re proud of our heritage but it’s not because of that,” Deanna said, explaining why she has participated in the group for two years. “It’s fun.”