Assembly of assimilation

This Missouri high school has a multicultural student body and celebrates every one of them. DP

Gathering honors various paths many have taken to live in, shape Springfield.

By Gregory Trotter • News-Leader

From Moldova to Mexico, Central High's vibrant international community showed its true colors in a gesture of unity Wednesday.

Central's international students proudly posed with the 31 flags from their home countries spread across different tables. The flags were to be hung on the walls later in the day, to remind Central of its multicultural student body.

Ron Snodgrass, first-year principal at Central, wanted a very clear message to visitors when they walked in the door.

"When they walk in, how would they really know?" Snodgrass said. "This creates the visual representation of the diversity at Central."

But for the 70 or so students from other countries, it was also a profound recognition of their cultural identity.

"We have much pride knowing that the Puerto Rican flag will be hanging up," said Fabian Rivera, 16, who represented Puerto Rico with the help of his brother Natanael, 18.

The Rivera brothers moved to Springfield about eight years ago and have learned English and acclimated into American culture. But they also remember how difficult it was in the beginning.

"The language, the food, the culture -- it was very hard at first," said Natanael Rivera.

Maria Amato, a Spanish teacher for Central's International Baccalaureate program, can relate. She moved to Springfield from Argentina about seven years ago to play tennis for MSU.

"Everything is more family-oriented back home," Amato said. "It's more individual here."

She was drawn to teach at Central because of the international presence celebrated Wednesday.
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