Phileas Fogg has nothing on students in the Santa Maria-Bonita Unified School District.

The fictional adventurer in the Jules Verne novel “Around the World in 80 days” won a bet when he traveled the world in 80 days.

However, Santa Maria-Bonita students did it in just one day at the district's 14th annual Multicultural Fair, which opened Tuesday and runs through Thursday.

During their visit to the fair, students were treated to demonstrations of music and art from various cultures around the globe and viewed displays on countries as far flung as Israel and Peru.

“It's more important than ever that children understand the world around them and respect people of other countries, races and beliefs,” fair organizer and Liberty School teacher Amber Heath said in a prepared statement. “It is today's children who will work to make the world a better, safer and more peaceful place over the next several decades. To do that successfully, they need to learn about the commonalities and differences all of earth's inhabitants share.”

The fair is organized by teachers from the district and volunteers from throughout the community.

More than 1,300 district students are expected to attend the fair as a field trip, Heath said.

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This year's fair is themed “It only takes one person to change the world ... YOU!”

Heath said this theme captures the spirit behind the event in a nutshell.

“(Kids) think that they're just children and they can't make a difference, but they truly can,” she said.

Five large multipurpose rooms at the Souza Student Support Center are dedicated to displays that pay homage to various cultures across six continents.

The fair includes a special display dedicated to the Chumash Indians.

On Tuesday, in one room representing Asian cultures, students from Taylor Elementary made Japanese paper cranes and saw a Chinese martial arts demonstration.

In the “Americas/Australia” room, Native American flutist Vidya Cicchini performed a traditional melody for another group of children.

A volunteer from Temple Beth El wrote students' names in Hebrew in the “Israel room,” and students learned about Burmese currency, the kyat, in the “Burma room.”

At the Multicultural Fair, colorful displays are the rule.

The “Burma room” features long paper vines hanging from the ceiling, and a nearly life-sized stuffed baby elephant, along with gold-edged pagodas, woven fabrics, and a collection of burgundy parasols, hand-painted and crafted by Burmese people.

Alekah Guajardo said she liked having her name written in Hebrew.

“It's interesting how (Israelis) write,” she said.

Alekah's classmate, Anayi Aguiniga, said the “Asian room” inspired her to visit China someday.

“I want to see how (Chinese people) live and the different cultures and stuff,” she said.

Organizers said they hoped the fair would widen students' world views.

“Some (kids), they go from school to home to the grocery store and that's their whole world,” said volunteer Jerry MacNeil. “We just fill in the gaps a little.”

The exhibits are also open to the public. They're available for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Souza Student Support Center at 708 S. Miller Street in Santa Maria.

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com.

March 5, 2008