As the crisp chilly morning air hits your face as autumn soon turns cold. The morning birds are singing as another day has come. But for the members of Much Bunch who knew that morning would be the start of an exciting day.
Munch Bunch sponsor Anne Gruettner shared the yearly field trip to Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin. The second most popular trip in Munch Bunch other than going downtown to visit Chinatown. “Many years ago, before Munch punch even existed, the ELL, the English language learners teachers at East Leiden would bring bus loads of students every year up to this festival. And from those teachers I learned about this festival. And I then had a couple of years of maternity leave after I had my daughters, and then I switched from being an East Side teacher to a West Side teacher. After Munch bunch was created, I thought, “What a perfect place to take Munch bunchers.” So Munch bunch has been going, coming every year to this festival for over 20 years,” says Ms. Gruettner.
Traditions become consistent as years pass by without there being any chance. But there was one change in particular that has sadly seemed to have been forgotten. “A long time ago, on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, right when we would arrive at the festival in the main theater area, they would have a state judge from Wisconsin,” exclaimed Ms. Gruttener, “They would have all of these Wisconsin residents who were being sworn in for their citizenship. They would do a citizenship ceremony, and they gave them little American flags, and they’re all waving their flags, and they say the Pledge Allegiance, and the judge is welcoming them all to the United States and talking about some of their challenges that they had overcome to become US citizens. And I’m sitting there and I’m crying like a baby because it was just so meaningful that all of these people from all these different parts of the world were wanting to come to the United States, and here I was able to witness the naturalization ceremony. But they don’t, they don’t do it anymore. So I’m sorry that people don’t get to see that.
Teachers weren’t the only ones who enjoyed themselves. West Leyden senior Hwi Jeong speaks on behalf of seeing his own culture being represented compared to when he went last year. “If I’m being completely honest I went this year because most of my friends were going. And I also went last year too. And also Ms. Gruttener asked me to come personally so I couldn’t say no. Comparing the two years I would have to say that I preferred last year more to this year. I’m going to be biased but knowing that there was a Korean booth last year is why I enjoyed it more. As it connects to my background and culture. The food in my opinion may not have been that good for me, but the overall experience definitely made up for it. But definitely, last year was better.”
Not everything is perfect as it seems to be. In the flaws of not being completely enjoyed at everything offered, there was still more to see and much to eat. What someone else may dislike you could find yourself loving it.
