American and four percent Asian. They have a cultural

American and four percent Asian.

They have a cultural complicity that is hard for us in Rappahannock to grasp. Yet, the play was a useful tool for them, giving the students, teachers and parents a common experience and vocabulary to discuss conflict.

Some of the comments from the audience included: “Teens are more mature than we credit them.” “Everyone has conflict, either with others or within themselves. We need to understand others in order to resolve conflicts.” “This was the most sincere, heartfelt script I’ve ever seen.” “The idea of the aftershock was really striking to me. When my dad left our family, it was like an earthquake to me. Then the aftershocks came. Things kept being hard. Now, if another earthquake and after-; shock happens, I know I will be able to handle it.” •'

Families opened their homes to us. We learned about a community where many adults are dedicated to giving young people a healthy, exciting and safe childhood. We learned how-. precious our clean air is here.

We learned how our farmers treat cows well, with pastures! and space, unlike the dairy agri-business farms in Mira Loma., They squeeze hundreds of cows into small fenced in mud fields, with a resulting aroma that makes the Warrenton sewage plant seem like a rose garden.

We learned about the resources of a big school, photography class, water polo, ceramics, oceanography, floral arrangement, computer graphics, horseback riding, digital animation.

We learned that the smallness of our school system decreases the power of rigid cliques that divide the student body across racial and class lines. We learned how big the world is and how small it is, too. (One of the school’s employees has a sister who is Daniel Ramey’s neighbor in Slate Mills!)

So again, I want to thank all those who made this trip pos-; sible, including the Rappahannock County School Board and ; RCHS Administration. It was a deeply rewarding and stimu- ! lating journey.

Laurie Marshall

Washington