Contact:	Maria Casellas-Kelly, 277-6842 Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915
April 1, 2002 CHILDREN TO RECITE SPANISH POETRY IN UNM COMPETITION The University of New Mexico Center for Latin American Resources and Outreach (CLARO), in collaboration with the Cervantes Institute, will sponsor "VOCES POÉTICAS: 2nd Annual Ibero-American Poetry Contest for Children" Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Children in grades one through five from Adobe Acres, Armijo, Bellhaven, East San Jose, Longfellow and Pajarito elementary schools will memorize and recite poetry in Spanish to win prizes donated by the UNM Bookstore. "The contest helps children with language and it's good for their self-confidence. It's hard to stand in front of a group and speak - even for adults," says Maria Casellas-Kelly, CLARO education specialist. "It's so important to be aware of other cultures. We see that especially now, unfortunately," says Casellas-Kelly, a native of Mexico City, Mexico. "You have to start teaching kids to be accepting when they are young." CLARO is the outreach branch of the UNM Latin American and Iberian Institute. For more information, call Maria Casellas-Kelly at 277-6842. ###

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