The Fruits of Our Friendship: MC Perry Primary’s Mikan Celebration
MC Perry Primary School recently celebrated one of its most meaningful traditions with the annual Mikan Celebration, a special cultural event that brings together students, educators, and members of the local Japanese community.
This year, MC Perry Primary was honored to welcome local mikan farmers and officials from Iwakuni City and the Suo-Oshima community. The celebration highlights the long-standing partnership between our school, MCAS Iwakuni, and the surrounding community, and serves as an example of how cultural connections enrich student learning.
In preparation for the event, students worked hard to learn about mikans, a beloved winter fruit in Japan, and their role in Japanese culture. Students also explored the traditional Japanese form of poetry known as haiku. Using simple but meaningful language, students wrote mikan-themed haikus and created artwork to express gratitude, kindness, and friendship. During the celebration, students proudly shared their poems, artwork, songs, and speeches with the visiting farmers and community members.
Ms. Birkland, a first-grade teacher at MC Perry Primary School, shared how meaningful it was to watch students present their work.
"Seeing our students share their haikus, artwork, and songs with the farmers was incredibly special,” Birkland said. “They took so much pride in what they created, and you could see how meaningful it was for them to understand that mikans represent kindness, sharing, and friendship.”
One of the most special moments of the day came when each student was gifted a fresh mikan directly from the farmers. For many students, it was their first time receiving a fruit grown by someone they had just met, making the experience both personal and memorable. The gesture symbolized the community's generosity and the spirit of sharing that the event embodies.
Ms. Maria Bell, vice principal of MC Perry Primary School, reflected on the celebration's importance to students.
"This celebration is a beautiful example of how cultural partnerships create meaningful learning experiences for students,” Bell said. “It is special to see our students connect with the local community in such a genuine and positive way.”
For the students, the experience was filled with pride and excitement.
"I liked giving my haiku poem and painting to the farmers because they grew the mikans for us,” said first grader Ariana Lumbreras. “It made me feel happy. My favorite part was getting a fresh mikan and saying ‘arigato.’”
Through this experience, students learned that Mikans are more than just a fruit. They are a symbol of kindness, connection, and friendship between cultures. The Mikan Celebration allowed students to learn about Japanese traditions while building real-world relationships beyond the classroom.
MC Perry Primary is proud to continue this tradition and grateful for the strong bonds shared with the Suo-Oshima community and Iwakuni City.
