During the past year the campus Spanish III class has been exposed to many different cultures and traditions. Visitors have included a pastor from Mexico, a Peoples Church painter from Guatemala, a missionary from Spain, a mother from Cuba and, most recently, a missionary kid from Uruguay.

Stephen Buller was born in Colombia where his parents were missionaries. Later, his family moved back to the United States, but they soon returned to South America and relocated to Uruguay.

Buller came to class dressed as a Uruguayan cowboy or “”gaucho””.

“I really enjoyed the speaker,” John Stevenson, ’04, said. “I liked the way he explained the ways they hunted and let us sample the ‘mate’ the gauchos drink. He also sang some really fun gaucho songs. I found him a very interesting speaker.”

Mate is a Uruguayan herbal tea that is popular among the traveling cowboys. The only student brave enough to try the mate was Stevenson, who had strong opinions about it.

“I think it’s definitely an acquired taste because it’s really strong,” Stevenson said. “But
I figure that if those tough cowboys can drink it, so can I.”

Buller sported traditional gaucho attire, including a poncho, hat and knife.

“He was probably the best speaker we’ve had all year,” Kristen Dunne, ’04, said. “He really went into detail about the Uruguayan culture and cattle wrangling techniques.”

Spanish III students appreciate all the speakers who spoke to them about their respective cultures.

“I feel very thankful that we have had the opportunity to have these speakers come to our school and share with us,” John Stevenson, ’04, said. “I feel like a more well rounded person because of it.”

Visitor’s topics often went beyond culture, extending to respect and understanding of people who differ from ourselves.

“The speakers offer a good opportunity to get a first hand look into the lives, culture and traditions of other peoples,” Andrew Kaiser, ’05, said. “Now I have a different perspective and am less likely to be critical about others.”

For more information on Spanish classes and other curriculums, students and parents can contact the high school office at 299-1695, ext.5.