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THE M'DA.NIEL FREE PRESS NOVEMBER 1 2007 Features Gennan American Day draws 25 schools The 13th annual event hosted by Dr. Mohamed Esaand McDaniel College is still going strong By Laura Hutton, News Co-Editor On Tuesday, October 16. McDan- iel College hosted its l yrh annual German American Day (GAD). Established in 1995 by Or. Mo- hamed Esa, GAD has played an important role in expanding Ger- man culrure. After becoming a full rime professor at McDaniel College in 1994, Esa wanted to improve the small German program at McDan- iel and the weak programs in sur- rounding high schools. Strength- ening the German programs at the high school level directly affects the interest in [he language at the col- Dr. Mohamed Esa (top right) welcomes students and chaperones from 25 . schools across the stale. Throughout the day students immersed themselves In "I believe in it. We German culture by learning folk dances (lopleft),andparlicipalinginavari~IY of workshops (center). "The idea was 10 build bridges between college and high are unique and there school,"Esasaid. is nothing like it in to be informative and to keep the different cultures," added Superin- the world. I am very srudenrs' arrention through the tendent of Carroll County Public proud of our German incorporation of interesting top- Schools and Western Maryland ics. The topics ranged from mak- College alumus, Dr. Charles I. American Day. It ing gingerbread and marzipan, to Ecker. belongs to everyone." learning German folk dances, and GAD is a successful tradi- even listening co the story of HoI 0- tion that Esa wishes [0 ccnrinuc - Dr. Mohamed Esa caust survivor, Mr. Rubin Szrajer, for many years. He hopes to keep including rwo middle schools and That is Esa's goal, [Q create an After the workshops that lasted the attendance high and wanrs lege level. one German high school, the cam- atmosphere that is fun for the Stu- 60-90 minutes, students were able everyone [Q learn about German "The idea was to build bridges pus was full of hundreds of high dents while they expand their Ger- [0 enjoy a traditional German meal culture. "[ believe in it. We are be.rween college and high school," school srudenrs eager to learn. man knowledge. "It is more than a before warchlng German music unique and there is nothing like it e>