The world came to the Capitol on February 16. World Languages that is. World language students, teachers, parents and other citizens came from all parts of the state to demonstrate for the bills SF1742 and HF 1788 which would make world languages a K12 core academic subject in Minnesota. People were there from Moorhead, Staples, Sleepy Eye, Hutchinson, St. Cloud, Hermantown and the Metro Area, to name a few areas represented. Sarah Tahtinen, who organized the rally, even wrote a chant, "Minnesota, we need more. Put world languages in the core!"

Carol Ann Dahlberg was MC of the rally. The main authors of the bill, Sen. Sandy Pappas and Rep. Mindy Greiling were introduced and spoke to the crowd, as did any other co-authors present. Dr. Dahlberg then presented petitions to the authors, with over 900 signatures supporting the bill collected from around the state. Following this, students from many schools showed off their knowledge of world languages through songs, skits and speeches. The schools represented included the St. Paul French Immersion school, Central High School in St. Paul, South High School in Minneapolis, the German American Institute, St. Bernard's, the University of Minnesota and the Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corp. In the final segment of the rally, students broke down by language around the rotunda and taught interested bystanders greetings and other simple phrases in their languages. Languages taught included Amharic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, and Arabic. The rally had a fun atmosphere, complete with posters, as you can see from the pictures.

10:00-10:30 WELCOME STUDENTS AND ORGANIZE GROUP PRESENTATIONS