Webb School hosts Diversity Day

Former Webb student Thomas Anderson, center, leads a rhythm workshop at the school's Diversity Day, held Friday. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

"We try to represent every student's country," said Hannah Little, the Webb librarian and the woman running the show.

Little inherited the job from Sandy Sanders, the former librarian who started Diversity Day years ago,

"She was very active in the Civil Rights movement and marched in Birmingham," said Little.

A spoken-word group from Middle Tennessee State University named Word-UP! kicked off the festivities with a performance Friday morning.

"They're sort of rap, sort of poetry -- they're all about diversity," said Little. "That's their message."

Even the two principal performers (the keyboard player got lost on the way to Bell Buckle) were examples of diversity, one speaking about angst and Henry Miller, and the other rapping about surviving on the streets.

After the opening performance, there was plenty more to experience.

"We have a festival atmosphere with booths and displays," said Little. "Clubs can also set up booths, like the Young Republicans or Young Democrats. It's about all kinds of diversity -- not just cultural, but political as well. We as Americans are very different and that's something to celebrate."

Some of the cultures represented included Mexican, "green," and ... Southern?

"You can't have diversity without Southern culture," said Chase Adcock, a Webb student from Bell Buckle. Decorated with a Confederate flag, the booth offered tips on how to speak Southern, two ATVs (one painted in camp), a quiz to test a person's true Southerness, and, of course, Moon Pies.

"Last year, we had cornbread," he said.

Everyone seemed well represented at the fair except, perhaps, the English and the French. Maybe that was because they were all in the Fine Arts Gym and Stage. The Webb middle schoolers are rehearsing for Henry V, the Shakespeare play about, well, the English fighting the French.

"It's absolute madness," laughed director Lane Davies. "Middle schoolers."

Unique and exotic filled the Barton Athletic Center as the fair got under way. Unique and exotic rhythms emanated from the foyer, where Webb alum Thomas Anderson was leading a percussion workshop, and unique and exotic rhythms echoed from the gym floor, where students Vyasa Palffy drummed on a "mridanga" and Zola Chihombori-Quao demonstrated African instruments and dances.

"Wake up the ancestors!" she said.

Unique and exotic textures and tastes were represented as well -- from silk saris and kimonos to the aromas of various treats. Moon pies aside, other sample treats included curry and cilantro, rice and hummus.

Later that day, Laura Brookhart, a photographer from Nashville who specializes in photographing images taken from natural elements, shot what is called a "Human Mandala." The students formed a design on the gym floor and Brookhart took pictures of it from above. Finally, the students showcased their talents in the Chapel with live music and dancing.

"We have four students from India who will be performing a traditional dance," Little said. "It is very beautiful."

The school's Croatian chef offered samples of cooking from his home country, but also tried his hand at some Southern cooking as well, said Little. Other dishes from other countries, such as India and China, were provided by parents.