Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Lewis | 190508-N-TR141-0114 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (May 8, 2019) Air Force Staff Sgt. Rodeo...... read more read more
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Local school, Castillo de Doña Blanca, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a tour of Naval Station Rota, May 8, and a ceremony at the school, May 10.
El Poblado de Doña Blanca, located within the city El Puerto de Santa Maria, was founded to house the families that were relocated from land that later became Base Naval de Rota. The families were moved to this new area and provided homes and land.
The event marked the school’s growth and the close ties it has developed with Naval Station Rota through the years.
“It has been four years since the first American family arrived to the school to enroll their children,” said Manuela Sanchez, principal of Castillo de Doña Blanca, speaking during the event. “They wanted the children to learn to speak Spanish and soon we had five more families who wanted their children to study at this school.”
Attending the event were special guests Miguel Andreu Estaún, Regional Education Delegate, David de la Encina Ortega, mayor of El Puerto de Santa Maria Mayor, Spanish Navy Vice Adm. Enrique Torres Piñeyro, chief of Logistics Support Bay of Cadiz, and U.S. Navy Capt. Michael MacNicholl, commander, Naval Activities Spain.
The school, composed of less than 100 students, was one of the last building constructed in the village. Castillo de Doña Blanca takes great pride in its history and the community it has created. It comes as no surprise then that they have welcomed Americans from the base with open arms to further celebrate their connection. This joint history and sharing of cultures has created an enriched educational experience for Spanish and American children at Doña Blanca.
“They are extremely welcoming and, not only have they welcomed our children with open arms, but they have also embraced our culture,” said Rocio Zaradona, a mother to American children attending the school.
The children enjoy “trick or treating” for the American holiday Halloween, sing Christmas carols in both languages and enjoy a holiday treats called pestiños – a traditional Spanish pastry that is deep fried and glazed with honey or sugar. In addition, the American families introduced the tradition of Thanksgiving by serving turkey and cranberry sauce.
“What is really important is the relationship of friendship and affection that has been established during these years, and is strengthening day by day,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez’s welcoming demeanor and infectious enthusiasm has quickly drawn other families to this school, which one American mother described as a “hidden gem.”
“It’s a community,” said Sarah McGraw, mother to two American children who attend the school. “They [the children] feel welcomed. They feel safe. They are involved. There’s a real pride and ownership in the school that you see every time you visit.”
As the school approached the 50th anniversary celebration, they wanted students to understand the history of their school. The students from Doña Blanca visited Naval Station Rota and toured several departments, May 8. The children were treated to a visit to the Spanish air wing, a tour of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster, the base fire department, and a Spanish falconer.
“I really enjoyed the plane [C-17] because it was so big and had a lot of buttons,” said Mario Cordero Benitez, a nine year old student at Doña Blanca.
The school ceremony celebrated the long history of Castillo de Doña Blanca that started long before the school and village was there but with the archeological ruins of its namesake, Castillo de Doña Blanca. The children cheerfully sang a song about their history starting back to the Phoenicians.
During the ceremony, Piñeyro and MacNicholl presented the school with plaques memorializing the day. The children and officials all signed a book that was placed within a time capsule in addition to mementos from each class. The time capsule will be sealed and opened 50 years from now when future students will be able to get a glimpse of life at Doña Blanca in 2019.
“If I had to make a wish for the future, I would be happy to continue as before, for American families to choose our school and for participation to continue to be active, based on respect for both cultures and traditions and as effective as it is today,” said Sanchez.
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2019 03:40 |
| Story ID: | 323606 |
| Location: | ROTA, ES |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Castillo de Doña Blanca School Celebrates 50 Years, by Courtney Pollock, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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