June 20 was a fantastic Saturday in Grand Forks: a chance to recognize the millions of refugees forced to leave their homes in search of a better life while also celebrating the accomplishments of former refugees locally.
Thanks go out to the Town Square Farmers' Market for welcoming us to honor refugees living in Grand Forks. Funding for World Refugee Day activities down at the Town Square came from the city of Grand Forks and the Solomon David-Schill Memorial Fund through Global Friends Coalition.
Fourteen English language learners from Winship Elementary School, who were fortunate to work under the direction of Kathy Coudle-King, performed puppet shows. Winship Elementary School Teachers Chrissy Dewey and Badera Muhanna and staff members Joan Bahr and Anna Latham shared their time and talent in making the puppet shows a success.
When all children were invited onto the stage at the Town Square to sing the song, "Wavin' Flag" it was definitely a moment for Grand Forks to cheer. Twenty flags from the homelands of the refugees and immigrants along with American flags filled the stage, with beautiful canvas posters painted by the English language learners from Winship as the backdrop.
English Language Learner Summer Performing Arts director Natasha Thomas and the students from Red River High School put on a wonderful demonstration with their African drums.
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A big thanks to Valley Community Health Centers for sponsoring the World Refugee Day soccer games and to the Grand Forks Park District for preparing Lion's Park for soccer and volleyball. There are many people and organizations that helped make World Refugee Day a success! It is heartwarming that Grand Forks can take a day to recognize the former refugees in our city.
Cynthia Shabb
Katherine Dachtler
Grand Forks
