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UA students teach multicultural awareness to young children

Jesse Sostrin wanted to bring the world to one stage - and last night he did.

The 35 members of UA's "Grasp The World" company stood on the stage of Peter Howell Elementary School last night to sing a message of multicultural awareness to an audience of more than 100 children and parents.

"Keep an open mind, do not be afraid, reach out to one another, and make a change," they sang.

Sostrin, a University of Arizona Latin studies graduate student designed the "Grasp The World" company for the UA's Berger Entrepreneurship Program.

"The idea for a kids' show came when I wanted to combine entertainment with multiculture," Sostrin said.

The UA "Grasp the World" group is made up of students from more than 10 countries, including China, Turkey, Mexico, Pakistan, Zambia and Argentina.

But last night's performance included more than songs and dances - some of the UA students introduced themselves in their native language and spoke about their clothing wore and culture.

Anthropology and French literature junior Sarah Malaika - who helped choreograph the dances - spoke about her Saudi Arabian culture.

"I was born in Tucson, but my parents are both from Saudi Arabia, so I am interested in multicultural issues," Malaika said.

Malaika said she hopes the principals and other education leaders who attended the performance will invite the "Grasp the World" cast to their schools.

"A few of the (UA) students met with (Peter Howell Elementary School) teachers and students last week to teach them song lyrics and make decorations for the auditorium," said Keya Rohovit, a family studies senior.

Sostrin said he chose to perform at Peter Howell because the school is underfunded.

"They don't get much money for programs, so we donated our show to them," Sostrin said.

Sostrin began performing for children in New York, Massachusetts and Maryland on his own. He wanted to continue his company in Tucson so he asked just one person for help, and within a week he had a cast of 35 students.

"We want to teach children not to be scared of people of other cultures, because they will not be able to grow up to be leaders without multicultural backgrounds," Sostrin said.