Captain Elementary students and their families were proud to display their heritage from 22 countries around the world at the school’s annual International Night held on Saturday, Jan. 26. Families each hosted a table representing their country of origin, sharing information about the country, its culture and culinary delights with those in attendance.

International Night also gave the PTO, which sponsors the event, an opportunity to raise awareness and nearly $200 for UNICEF, an international nonprofit that works to help children in 190 countries and territories around the world. UNICEF supports children in need through health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.

The celebration of UNICEF’s work was evident throughout the evening. In preparation for the event, Captain Art Teacher Tiffany Marquart helped her students create an incredible six-foot-tall globe to serve as the centerpiece of the UNICEF tribute. Families then placed squares on the globe representing their country of origin. Captain fifth-graders merged technology with their non-fiction unit by creating infographics visualizing the efforts of UNICEF in various countries. The infographics were proudly displayed at the event for families to view. Attendees could also watch inspirational UNICEF stories playing on a large screen, and students were encouraged to cut out mini figures and make a wish for a better life for a child by placing the figures on the UNICEF Wish Wall.

An additional element during International Night was a tribute to the Chinese culture. The International Shaolin Wushu Center provided a Kung-Fu demonstration for attendees and performed their Lion Dance, which is thought to ward off evil spirits and bring happiness, luck and prosperity to those in observance.