In their continuing virtual tour of the world, middle school students at Hershey Christian Academy recently visited Slovenia. Both the Slovenian Embassy and the branch president of the Slovenian Union of America in Washington, D.C., sent brochures and booklets to contribute to this geography study.

Nearly one in 200 Slovenians are beekeepers; colorfully painted hives, or kranjichi, can be found both in the countryside and on top of urban apartment buildings. Students decorated bee boxes in the Slovenian style.

Students also made potica, a rolled sweet nut bread. Written records that date back to the 1500s prove the long-standing Slovenian family tradition of preparing paper-thin pastry dough and spreading it with sweet or savory fillings before rolling it tightly and baking it until it is golden brown.

The class also learned about dance troupes like the Duquesne Tamburitzans and polka musicians like the Avsenik Brothers. Mrs. Eckert and Layla Wright surprised the class one day by wearing the Gorenjska national costume. Nancy Terselic, an Idrija bobbin lace hobbyist, gave a virtual history and demonstration of the technique for the class. Students also enjoyed looking at innovative Slovenian architecture by the Suhadolc family of Ljubljana.

Hershey Christian Academy in Hummelstown is open to 4-year-old kindergartners through students in grade 10. For more information, readers may call 717-312-7595 or email info@hersheychristianacademy.org.