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South Carolina NRCS Celebrates Cultural Awareness Training, August 26, 2010.

 

South Carolina NRCS employees celebrated the 15th Annual Cultural Awareness Training program at the South Carolina Department of History and Archives on August 26, 2010.  The event's theme was Blast From The Past: Diversification of SC NRCS Employees, which also celebrated the 75th Anniversary of NRCS in South Carolina and the rich history of the employees in the state.

The program was a welcome change of pace that featured speakers and performers of diverse backgrounds, each providing personal and professional insight, as well a historical information, of different cultures. Topics during the event included the following:

Overview of Hispanic Population in South Carolina
Lee McElveen, SC Commission for Minority Affairs Hispanic/Latino Coordinator

History and Performance of Irish Dance
Rince na h'Eireann School of Irish Dance

Overview of Chinese Culture
Dr. Richard Cheng, Chinese Association of Columbia, President

Overview of Italian History and Culture
James Pesci, Sons of Italy in America

Perry Tuttle
Inspirational teach, speaker and coach

 



Ashley Findley of South Pointe High School
in Rock Hill, SC, performs the National Anthem.



Lee McElveen, SC Commission for Minority Affairs, discusses
the Hispanic population in South Carolina.



SC NRCS employees perform traditional Hispanic dances,
such as the Salsa and Merengue.



Sabrenna Bryant and Sam Ward perform the Salsa.



Ms. Angie Wei Hu, Confucius Institute at the University
of South Carolina, explains the ancient art of calligraphy.



Ms. Angie Wei Hu explains the traditional dress of different
Asian cultures and regions.



Young students at the Rince na h'Eireann School of Irish Dance
perform traditional Irish dances.



A speaker from the Rince na h'Eireann School of
Irish Dance explains the traditional Irish dress
of one of the younger students.
 

Amy Maxwell, SC NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist, is
presented the Excellence in Outreach Award by SC
State Conservationist, Ann English.

George Sullivan, GIS Specialist, is presented the
State Conservationist Giraffe Award by Ann English.

James Pesci, Sons of Italy in American, discusses Italian history
cultural contributions.

Perry Tuttle, inspirational speaker and
former professional football player,
ends the day on a positive note.



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