Learning of success and failure

WESTFALL n As part of the “One Book, One Philadelphia” Project, Mid-Atlantic Gigapop in Philadelphia for Internet2 (MAGPI) this spring sponsored a video conference using Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy as a primary text. The eleventh grade Delaware Valley Combo class had an opportunity to explore the human side of the Cuban Revolution led by the author, Dr. Carlos Eire. The conference investigated religion, political ideologies, socialization, culture, philosophy and immigration. Students had a unique opportunity to hear Eire’s personal story, including why he chose to write this memoir. Also, they were able to discuss the topics above with the author. Students created a panel of interviewers and interviewees: Karl Marx, who explained his idealized society, Fidel Castro, dictator of Cuba, a Cuban entrepreneur, and a Cuban peasant. The students discussed the successes and failures of communism. Student panelists were: Sarah Pereira, Cory Homer, Hailey Vogel, Angela Allen, Kevin Pinero, April Bartholomew, and Joe Harsch. Student not only interacted with Eire, a Cuban refugee and Professor at Yale University, but also with three other high schools across the country.