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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted May 18, 2003 Text © 2003 Keweenaw Now. Photos © 2003 Hancock Elementary School and courtesy Bethany Croton, Hancock Elementary School computer teacher.

Hancock children remember Finnish President's visit

HANCOCK -- Students in Maija Stadius's second grade class at Hancock Elementary have a special memory of this school year -- the day Finland's President Tarja Halonen visited their class and even danced with them.

"It was quite an honor," Stadius said. "The children were just thrilled!"

During a Finnish dance, Finland's President Tarja Halonen bows to a student in Maija Stadius's second grade class at Hancock Elementary School on April 28, 2003, while Halonen's husband, Dr. Pentti Arajarvi, invites another student to dance. Teacher Maija Stadius is at far right. (Photo courtesy Bethany Croton)

Stadius noted the class had just done a program on their study of Finland for parents when she found out the President was coming. It was quite a surprise for the teacher and the class. In fact, after speaking at the Finlandia University graduation on Sunday, April 27, President Halonen extended her stay so that she could visit the school.

"She was just so personable and friendly," Stadius noted. We were doing a dance for her. In the middle of the dance she danced with one of the children, and her husband danced with another. It was just charming."

Stadius added President Halonen and her husband knew the Finnish dance. The President's personal aide sang a song she had learned as a child in Finland, while her bodyguard acted out the part of a rabbit to go with the song.

Students perform the "Little Frog Song" or the "Pienet Sammo Kot" in Finnish for Finland's President Tarja Halonen, her husband, Dr. Pentti Arajarvi, and aides during President Halonen's April 28 visit to Maija Stadius's second grade class at Hancock Elementary School. Stadius is standing, far right, with Jim Kurtti, editor of the Finnish-American Reporter. (Photo courtesy Bethany Croton)

Later, Stadius asked the children what it was like meeting President Halonen.

"How did it make you feel? How did you feel when you found out she was coming to the classroom?" were the questions Stadius asked the class after the visit.

"Well, it was exciting and I really liked when we had a picture with her because I was standing right next to President Halonen," said Brian Kass. "I was very happy for my friends Dylan and Aaron because they got to dance with the President and her husband."

In fact, the dance is a special memory for Brian's friend Dylan Hanke. "I was excited to meet President Halonen," Dylan said. "I felt special because I was the only one who got to dance with her." 

Said Braden Peterson, "I felt really excited. My favorite part was getting my picture taken with her."

Hancock Elementary second graders pose for a photo with Finland's President Tarja Halonen (center) and her husband, Dr. Pentti Arajarvi. Teacher Maija Stadius is standing at right, and student teacher Kristine Baril from Northern Michigan University stands at left. (Photo courtesy Bethany Croton)

Cassie Simula noted, "I felt happy and special because we got to see a President from a different country."

Crystal Massoglia shared her classmates' enthusiasm. "When I found out she was coming to our classroom I felt excited. When she came I was ready to sing and dance for her," Crystal said.

Finally, second grader Lily Williams may some day tell her grandchildren about the event.

"When I gave President Halonen the flowers I felt proud that she was in my school because she is such an important lady," Lily said.

Maija Stadius, who is of Finnish descent and speaks the language, has her students study Finnish culture, language (through singing and games) and Finnish history and literature.

Editor's Note: Read about President Halonen's April 27, 2003, speech at the Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College) graduation: "Finland's President Tarja Halonen addresses Finlandia grads."

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