China, Japan, Thailand, Navajo, Hawaii, and a variety of other nations and cultures were represented at the second presentation of @RTIMOS, focusing this time on Peace Internationally. The musical concert, arranged by Art Saowichit and a team of students, included musical numbers, dance performances and video to create a feeling of peace and unity across cultures.
“The purpose of @RTIMOS is to bring people together so they can interact and think about themselves and the community,” explained Saowichit, a sophomore in Interdisciplinary Studies from Thailand. “My hope is that the students will step out of their comfort zones and work with others around them to create peace.” He also explained that the first @RTIMOS focused on leadership, but he realized through that experience that working with people provides a more enriching memory and program, so he invited other students to join him in planning this presentation.
Near the end of the evening Dr. Chad Ford, Director of the McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding shared a message on the evening’s theme. “Peace is a space that’s created that invites us to leave behind our selfishness and prejudices and inspires us to do things differently everyday… Let the spirit that is here seep into your hearts. If you do that, we will fulfill President McKay’s prophecy. I truly believe this is the best place on earth.”
“I enjoyed the first @RTIMOS,” said Aissa Carreon, senior in International Cultural Studies from New Zealand. “Art has a good message to share an a great concept of how to get that message out. Watching the different parts of the different cultures gave me a small glimpse into what that culture contains. You get to feel those cultures for just a bit.”
A men’s quartet, made up of Teren Tenuchi, Roger Brown, Philip Andrus and Art Saowichit opened the concert singing “Prayer of the Children” as a vivid slideshow presented images of children from all over the world. Another two numbers by the concerned choir followed, coupled with a slideshow of pictures from the choir’s tour to China and Mongolia in June 2007.
Other performers included the Dr. Ban Phung family; Erika Sato and Sonomi Yoshino; Janelle Cramer and Jessica Creamer; Stu Kaestner and Bremen McKinney; Sukanya Choisraku, Gift Dean, Phiradi Intharachan and Mari Jantalert; Chantal Mortensen and Ryan Hardester; Lauren Woodbury; April Sunshine Sanchez; and Kale Kau’i, Kawika Kau’i, Drake Auna, Jayson Meha, Koji Okuzumi and Gabriel Kai Chan.
“One of the most moving parts was the quote about friendship that Art read right before Jessica and Janelle sang,” said Haley Huish, senior in Interdisciplinary Studies from Utah. The quote to which she was referring: “A good friendship can bring peace into the loves of everyone who comes in contact with it.” Jessica Creamer and Janelle Cramer sang “For Good,” from the popular Broadway musical Wicked.
Adam Eastburn, a freshman in Fine Arts from California, said he enjoyed the performances and the unity they bring to the campus. “This display of cultures and music brings a sense of unity among cultures that you don’t usually recognize,” Eastburn said.
In the future, Saowichit said he and his group hope to put together a traveling act, so they can go out to the community and other college campuses to spread the idea of international peace to as many people as possible.
At the event, the @RTIMOS team passed out comment cards. Saowichit said 95% of the people wanted more information on updates and upcoming service projects. He was excited that people were interested in “continuing the goodness and spirit of @ARTIMOS.”
He added, “This project wouldn’t have been a success without the current team and the support of students and the audience. We stopped counting at 350 people walking through the door at the last @RTIMOS, so I want to thank everyone for their attendance and their feedback.
-Photos by Leilani Miller