Gala Dinner and Block Party for GAPP`s 50th Anniversary
An Unforgettable Weekend
GAPP is 50 years young! The GAPP team celebrated this special anniversary along with the president of the Goethe-Institut, Dr. Carola Lentz as well as many other high-ranking guests, GAPP teachers, and alumni at a gala dinner in New York City. Highlights of the evening included awarded GAPP Coordinator Nicole Perrine-Wilson with the distinction of GAPP Teacher of the Year, who describes the GAPP program as `the best part of her job. Equally moving was a video presentation and speech by GAPP alumna Rileigh Wine, who stressed the importance of getting to know other cultures. The evening was led by GAPP alumnus Miles Johnson, former student of former GAPP coordinator and current GAPP Executive Director Molly Rowland as well as South Mecklenburg High School Teacher Ingrid Bialas-Wilson.
The celebrations continued the next day, on October 9th, with a block party in front of Goethe-Institut New York. Hundreds of visitors went from stand to stand and tried German specialties such as döner kebabs and pretzels. They also decorated gingerbread hearts, listened to Ami Warning and her band from Munich, Germany, and learned more about German program. German School Brooklyn attended with their band, and artist duo Feli and Pepita opened their photo exhibition In My Room. (Ran until October 31st)The GAPP team raffled off prizes at the GAPP stand that included coasters, bags, pencils, t-shirts, and more. Children in attendance especially appreciated the fairytale theater performances, crafts, painting tables, ice cream, cookies, and more. GAPP was especially excited to welcome the class from Gabelsberger Gymnasium in Germany. The students won the GAPP anniversary video competition offered by the Pedagogical Exchange Service and were rewarded with trip to New York.
