One of my most memorable costumes growing up, was when my very Italian father helped make a costume for me as an organ grinder, reminiscent of the ones he had seen on the streets in Italy! My father’s handiwork transformed his little redheaded 8-year-old daughter into an old country organ grinder, complete with mustache and dancing stuffed monkey! Not only was that costume memorable because it was crazily unique, but also because I learned a lot about my father’s Italian heritage as we prepared every last detail. It is with this kind of expanded vision that Tucson International Academy has designed their costume parade. The annual parade, held at the end of October or in early November, is so much more than just playing dress up.
Costume Parade
In order for all students of all ages to be able to participate, TIA has set some parameters on the types of costumes allowed. These guidelines prevent any costuming that would be too scary for the younger students. The parameters also prevent costumes that would not be age appropriate by being too provocative or too dark in nature. But it’s more than that that! TIA has promoted the parade as a wonderfully fun educational experience as well.Costume Categories
The students are encouraged to choose a costume that falls into one of three categories. One category is “Professionals”. These costumes can can depict any sort of job such as doctors, teachers, policemen, and so on. It’s kind of a twist on the “what I want to be when I grow up” idea.Costume Theme
The second theme is costumes from literature. The students can choose any character from books they have read. If they choose to dress up as a princess, they need to be able to explain which princess they are and from what story. Princess Violetta from the book The Princess Knight would look very different than Princess Elizabeth from the book The Paper Bag Princess! The third category the students can choose their costume idea from is cultural. My organ grinder costume very well could have fallen under this category! The children can learn so much about their own heritage or other cultures as they prepare their costume for this category. One could see a French chef, a Mexican mariachi, or an Apache Indian marching in the parade side by side. Leave it to TIA to take something as simple as dressing up to a whole new level that is not only fun, but truly an enriching and educational venture for their students! To see more fun pictures from the Costume parade on our Facebook page, click on this link Tucson International Academy: More Than Just School Enroll Online Story by Betty Kruzska~TheJ3Effect
