Students watching the September 7th celebrations during Rafael Portella,10th, and Julia Fernandes’s,12th presentation as M.C. ‘s for the event. [by Rafael Meikle]
On Friday, September 6th, PACA celebrated the upcoming Brazilian Independence Day with an assembly during the 8th period class. This event was attended by parents, students, and staff. The celebration included elementary presentations from multiple grades, music, and speeches from the student masters of ceremony, sophomore Rafael Portella, and senior Julia Fernandes.
Teachers at PACA see this celebration as a very important event, especially those who teach part of the Brazilian curriculum. Mrs. Anna Adamovicz is a Brazilian History and Portuguese language teacher.
“It is very important as a way of expressing our gratitude to God for the action of His divine providence in the history of Brazil,” Adamovicz said. “This celebration is like a thanksgiving service for the achievement of our freedom. It is a great opportunity for our school community to celebrate an emblematic civic date and exchange knowledge about the history of our country.”
Part of the culture of the school is Brazilian and for many it is not only good but also indispensable, because of the culture and history in São Paulo as part of the country of Brazil.
As Adamovicz said, “It is essential for understanding the process of political emancipation and the achievement of our sovereignty as an independent nation. This knowledge about the past is indispensable for us to have a more comprehensive understanding of our national identity and a more engaged participation in the construction of our citizenship.”
Adamovicz also believes the school’s focus is not only in the general history, but also of the churches’ impact on the history.
“It is of utmost importance to transmit historical knowledge for a better understanding and appreciation of our Brazilian cultural identity,” said Adamovicz. “However, it is essential that the history of Christianity/history of the church be part of our curriculum and that Biblical Principles be the basis for our reflections on the meaning of all the events in the history of Brazil that we study.”
It is not only important for teachers but also for students too. The number of students who have partial or full Brazilian nationality is the highest percentage of all the nation groups at PACA with over 75% of the student population having Brazilian citizenship.
Freshman Marrianne Meikle said, “ As a Brazilian, it is good to know about the culture and about my country.”
In my opinion, this shows the importance of the September seventh celebration for students and teachers of the PACA community. It is an ideal way for the school community to start the holiday weekend as they remember the historical steps taken in order for Brazil to become an independent country.
