Journal 2002 - West Boylston
West Boylston Middle/High School, West Boylston, Massachusetts, USA
November 7, 2002
The Peace Flags have been completed and today we were honored by a visit by Mr. Watabe, Consul for Information and Culture in Boston. Mr. Watabe congratulated our students on their efforts in making the peace flags and "Dream of Peace" posters and with video, and questions helped the students learn a little more about the culture of Japan. Students were also congratulated by Floyd Pearcy, president of Lions Club International on their artful and thought-provoking Dream of Peace Posters. Prizes were given for the top 3 posters that best met the criteria along with one for honorable mention. Wal-Mart has supported our school generously in the past and this is no exception. Store manager DíArtagnin and Grant supervisor, Dell Sherrill, presented the class with a generous check to help pay for the paper for the Peace Flags, purchase items in Japan for a "culture box" and to purchase items for the school that will enhance the project such as books and tapes. Thank you Wal-Mart!
The West Boylston Community Club presented us with a West Boylston Flag to present to the City of Hamada along with a check for the purchase of a digital video camera to be used on the trip and with students after the trip. Thanks for the generous gifts! Presenters were Michael Kittredge and Barbara Mard.
The West Boylston Middle/High School PTA also gave a generous gift toward the purchase of books to enhance the teaching of the culture of Japan. These books will be used by the Language Arts, Reading, Library and Social Studies teachers.
We were happy to have New England News come to West Boylston to document the event for Channel 3 viewers. TV News reporter, Colleen Bamford did an excellent job reporting on our celebration. We also had reporters Bonnie Fancy from the Banner and Worcester Telegram and Gazette Newspapers.
Due mainly to the efforts of Michael Watkins who spent a lot of time soliciting gifts, we also received gifts from Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Wachusett Mountain, Old Sturbridge Village, Old Salem, Worcester Art Museum, Clara Barton Center, NASA, Mr. Vignaly and WB youth soccer, Ecotarium and West Boylston Historical Society. West Boylston High School Student Council also was generous in supplying gifts to take to Hamada as well as a gift for Mr. Watabe from the Japanese Consulate in Japan.