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4 - THE PORT PERRY STAR, Tuesday, April 10, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" | : : schools | By Rik Davie Port Perry Star "Racism is.a disease." | Never were, truer words spoken; and in this case | they are the words of Alexandra Haagaard, a I3-year- | old student at RH. Cornish Public School in Port Perry. Alexandra has been recognized by the Human | Rights and Race Relations Center (HRRRC) for her essay on the topic How To Devélop Racial Harmony In Schools. Her essay was chosen as one of the win- ners in a contest sponsored by the HRRRC which was open to students in Durham, York, Toronto and Peel. Alexandra said she knows the sting of discrimina- ' tion first hand, and wrote from knowledge and from the heart. | She suggested methods that included inter- racial and religious studies to acquaint students with the customs and beliefs of others. But she said - anything that will stop other people from feeling excluded is okay with her. mind and the most effectual way to remedy it is, to increase humanity's knowl- edge of other cultures. Alexandra Haagaard | y | Racism is a disease of the | : | | "l am in a gifted class, and as well I have medical conditions that have made me the target. of some bullying," Alexandra told The Star. "My mom came over from Hungary, and she was discrimi- nated against for her accent and other things." Alexandra said she was surprised to learn she had won the $250 prize. "I kind of thought an older kid would win = Relations Centre for her essay on combatting racism in schools. it," she said. Alexandra travelled to Toronto on March 26 and attended a banquet, at which she was presented with her award. She hopdh to use the prize money to enlarge her antique doll collection. And she is hopeful that her story make. a point with some people. " Alexandra said. A student's wish for tolerance in Alexandra Haagaard. s seen here with her*mother Etelka, has been recognized by the Human Rights and Race "March 21 was anti-racism day in Canada, and | hope that next year we recognize it in Port Perry somehow," en co pleted, proj a ry oar well as an under- an stahding for other cultures. hile such activities might 'become juvenile for youths 3 baring themselves for the . d, high schools must carry on the fight to develop racial harmony among their pupils. As children grow and t they need to see things to to believe and dnderstand, them. Short exchange trips could be arranged for high o sohool | students to spend a weekend in the home of a z ge present it to their fel-- mature into young adults, hools student from the same school "board area, who belongs to another | race. . 'By observing their lifestyle, the visiting student will take back with them an understanding of another cul- ture. Following the exchange trip, the youth would present to his peers, his experiences "with those of another face. . Although developing racial harmony "among 'students seems at first to be a huge undertaking, there are many possibilities 'themselves to the purpose. which lend Nido some . exposure to oth er races, children, youths, ho d finally ad sults wise that despite extern "among us, on the nsie ig ate all the game, A