Preschoolers at Palo Blanco marked Dominican Republic’s Culture Day with colorful skits to celebrate the country’s diversity, reconciliation, and the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Kids dressed up as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and crew members of Columbus’ ships — Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina — to enact Columbus’ first encounter with the local Taino people.
Yamill, Starling, Rebeca, and Bien Manuel dancing the Merengue along with their 6th graders class. The Merengue is the traditional dance in the Dominican Republic.
The fourth graders recite a poem for culture Day.
Josue, kindergarten assistant, dances “gangster style” with his students David, Ecson, Marcos, and Brahian.
Wildelys, Amberly, Roselyn, and Shanely from the Kindergarten class dressed up as Taino Natives, the indigenous people of the Dominican Republic. Their class did dances from around the world and their job was to dress up as Taino Natives and move their hand to their mouth while hollering.
The Preschool class dances to a song during Culture Day.
The three-year-old crew in their ships, the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina.
Three-year-old Frank dressed up as Taino Native for the Culture Day celebrations. When Christopher Columbus arrived on the island of Hispanola, he and his crew were met by the Taino people. In the skit Frank and the actor playing Columbus exchange gifts.
Adiel and Britany, both three-year-olds, get ready to play King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella on Culture Day celebration at their school.
Three-year-old Adiel gets ready to step on stage to perform as King Ferdinand of Spain on Culture Day.
Decorative poster made by Palo Blanco staff to celebrate Culture Day. It says, “The Meeting of Cultures.”
Palo Blanco student, Daruin, poses with facility maintenance man, Miguel, before the presentation begins on Culture Day.