Russian holiday

WASILLA — The glass display case at the main entrance of Wasilla High School’s (WHS) common area is full of color.

Wooden “matryoshkas,” or cup dolls, are lined up, some in nested families of five. Up front, 48 tiny dolls stand alone, forming an army of women peering out of the glass. Next to them are a multitude of decorative ladles, bowls, tea sets, glassware and an assortment of traditional hats and popular story books.

The display case shows the finest of Russian culture, showcased this month at Wasilla High School for its education, and its beauty.

Wasilla High School (WHS) played host to its 2nd Annual Russian Festival on Friday, where students from Russian classes and the International Culture Club gathered in WHS’ common s area for Slavic food, music, dancing and a whole lot of holiday cheer and tradition.

Cherie Koss has been teaching Russian speaking classes and World History at WHS for two years. She said that with roughly 7% of WHS’ student body being Russian and Ukrainian, it is a good way for Alaska students to break the language barrier between the two.

“I like to make them aware of not only the language, but the beauty of the cultural diversity you’ll find in Russia,” Koss said. “I’d like them to value the language and use it, of course.”

Grace Valencia, 15, is taking Russian II, an advanced language course offered at Wasilla High School. She said she enjoys Russian because it gives her an opportunity to learn about her heritage. Valencia’s grandparents moved to the U.S. from Brazil 25 years ago and speak little English. Bridging the family’s communication gap by taking their native language brings them closer together, Valencia said.

“It’s interesting learning different languages,” Valencia said. “I like the way it sounds, too.”

On Friday afternoon, the festivities were in full swing.

Russian language students sang “Silent Night” in front of a growing audience of other Russian, Spanish, Japanese and other foreign language learners. Some laughed in embarrassment, while others read the music sheets and did their best with the holiday favorite, recognizable even to the untrained Russian ear.

Much like the Christmas celebrated in other parts of the world, Russian tradition includes the visit by gift-giving Grandfather Frost, “Ded Moroz,” and his Snowmaiden, “Snegurochka.”

Unlike Santa Clause, Ded Moroz walks with a long magical staff, does not say “Ho, ho, ho,” and drives a a “troika,” a three-horse drawn sled, instead of using red-nosed reindeer.

Carlee Hunter, 17, looked over her song sheet, seeing what her class will sing next.

Hunter said she initially signed up for WHS’ Russian courses because her dad made her.

“We have Russians that live around us in our neighborhood, so it made sense,” Hunter said. “I’m glad I did sign up for it.”

Hunter is already planning for a class trip she’ll make with a dozen other Russian language students next March to Moscow and St. Petersburg, a first for her to leave Alaska.

“I’m looking forward to the train ride from Moscow to St. Petersburg,” she said. “It’ll be the first time on a train.”

Hunter said she has made life-long friendships in Koss’ classroom and now knows a little more about the Russian language, culture, writing, and her next door neighbors.

Hunter’s friend Chance Brinker, 15, is also a Russian II student going on the class trip to Russia next year.

Brinker’s father worked in Russia as a surveyor. Over the years, the Brinkers have had newly arrived Russian families stay at their home while they worked together in Wasilla.

Brinker said he isn’t worried about not being able to speak fluent Russian when he travels, just as long as he can write it down if he can’t say it.

Students making the long trip overseas will also meet their Russian pen-pal friends they have made during class via e-mail over the year.

“This is my first trip over seas,” Brinker said. “I want to teach English in the future, so this really looks good on a resume.”

At the Russian Festival held Friday at WHS, foreign language speaking students from all classes came together to celebrate the holidays in the traditions of their respective countries. Students taking Russian were able to show an audience of their peers how much they’ve learned, and get into the holiday spirit as well.

Koss invited Ukraine born Artem, 15, and Anna, 12, Kozyrenko to come to the Russian Festival as entertainers. Artem and Anna live and go to school in Anchorage, but couldn’t pass up a chance to show Wasilla students some traditional Russian dances, as well as many other familiars, like the fox trot, the cha-cha-cha and the rumba.

The Kozyrenkos eloquent and fluid dance-style brought much applause from WHS students, family and staff.

“Who wants to learn a Russian folk dance called the troika?” said Koss.

With that, three female WHS students gave a basic tutorial on a traditionally male led ensemble. With a little fumbling in their counted steps, the three danced hand in hand, giving a small taste of Russia in Alaska.

Natalya Tereshchenko, 17, is from the Ukraine and now lives in the Mat-Su Valley with her Slavic family. On Friday, by request, she happily dressed up as Snegurochka the Snowmaiden, bearing a bright silver dress and “kokoshnik, ” a traditional Russian rounded hat. Reaching into her velvet bag, she handed out Russian candy to students in the audience.

“It’s really exciting,” Tereshchenko said. “I think it’s interesting showing Americans the Russian culture.”

Daniel Sheremet, 14, joined Tereshchenko in dispersing treats, dressed in an aqua blue robe and cap as Russia’s “Grandfather Frost.”

Following the music and dancing, students and WHS staff joined together for a meal of “borsht,” a beet based soup, and “zakuski,” Russian sweet treats.

“It’s wonderful, not only teaching this amazing culture and language, but to see the students really get into it,” Koss said. “I want people to appreciate the Russian community in our schools, and want to help promote the idea of cultural appreciation as well.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.