Burnett, others to speak at diversity seminar

Dennis Prager

"Lifelines: Celebration of Culture" is the theme of Oaks Christian School's Symposium 2007.

The all-school event will be held on campus from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 30.

Keynote speaker Dennis Prager, author and radio talk show host, will address the student body on the topic of diversity.

Other speakers and panelists include Hector Barajas, press secretary of the California Republican Party, who will share his knowledge about Hispanic immigration; Mark Burnett, producer of the TV show "Survivor," who will discuss the program's recent focus on race relations among its contestants; and Werner L. Frank, founding member of the Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley, who will share his family search and show students how they can trace their own roots.

Rubic Hoospianmer, an Iranian Christian, will tell of his family's story and lend insight into his life as a Christian raised in an Islamic state.

Alex Rivero, pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of the Conejo Valley, will be joined by a school faculty member to examine the varying backgrounds of Hispanics in the area.

Other highlights include a student-produced video and a multicultural lunch. The international professional theater company Covenant Players will end the day with a dramatic performance titled "The Elevator."

Explaining the impetus for the event, academic dean Timothy Fenderson said, "Even in the 'Westlake bubble' we are immersed into a greater culture of different races, religions, cultural values and social groups. We want to welcome those who are different, we want to defy ignorance, and we want to appreciate cultures outside the dominant culture."

Symposium organizers and school officials hope it will help the school's student body to affirm and celebrate cultural differences and realize the importance of cross-cultural service to others.

Oaks Christian School is at 31749 La Tienda in Westlake Village.