Sixth-grader Annie Donahey, 12, carries the flag of the Republic of Ireland in the parade of flags that began Santa Rita’s International Day celebration last Thursday.

Santa Rita School’s International Day May 26 was a living illustration of its multicultural student body. Teacher Dorothy Dickson, who grew up in Scotland, introduced the annual event early in her 14 years at the school to help students from other countries adjust to the cultural differences they find here.

The celebration began with a parade of flags and the singing of the heritage song, “The People of My Past.” Children marched onto the blacktop carrying flags of 20 nations; dozens of other flags were displayed throughout the school. Most of the student body danced in at least one of the folk dances from China, Mexico, Israel, Scotland, Italy, Japan and the United States - the U.S. dance was the Electric Slide. The day culminated in a potluck dinner.