Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) has been selected as one of four schools to assist the Sejong Cultural Society in creating a documentary about teaching sijo, a type of Korean haiku, in English. These three-lined poems abide by specific guidelines which embrace Korean cultural values.
Film producer Won J. Park and executive director of the Sejong Cultural Society Dr. Lucy Park will arrive at R-MA on October 13th to begin filming. On Tuesday, October 14th, they will capture Tracy Kaminer, R-MA’s English as a Second Language instructor, teaching a variety of students how to write sijo. After the class, they will interview Kaminer as well as English Department Chairman Robert Davies and some of the students.
According to the organization’s web site, www.sejongculturalsociety.org, “the Sejong Cultural Society strives to advance awareness and understanding of Korea's cultural heritage amongst people in the United States by reaching out to the younger generations through contemporary creative and fine arts.” This society also encourages Korean culture through essays, poems, and music. They sponsor a number of writing competitions for junior and high school students across the country, including a competition for students to write sijo. Each year, the organization receives more than a thousand submissions for this contest.