The only thing that may top this year’sConnecticut Council of Language Teachers’ ( CT COLT ) Rhyme Celebration may be next year’s.

More than 200 students from 14 school systems gathered for the celebration at Smith Middle School last Thursday . Each group , or in some cases , individual , performed a song , poem , or spoken word piece in a foreign language . This year’stheme was “ Discover Languages , Discover Friendship . ”

Most of the acts handled that topic well , as the camaraderie among the students was evident on stage , as well as throughout the afternoon .

The emcee for the program was Christi Moraga , co-chair and founder of the 19 th annual event .

Moraga said that after 19 years, the group is learning to be more efficient , and she was pleased with the event .

“ All the teachers prepared their students very well , and I’m very happy , ” she said .

CT COLT sends out e-mails to all elementary foreign language teachers in the state , and word-of-mouth apparently makes its way to heritage schools , as it has netted a few over the years.

Moraga said the idea grew from the poetry contest for teens that CT COLT has presented for decades .

“ It really excluded all of the little ones , ” she said . “ The [ younger] children love to speak in foreign languages , even more , I think , than the teenagers . ”

The element of competition was removed , so the day is more of an exhibition , with everyone receiving snacks , certificates , and souvenirs .

Glastonbury’s head of foreign languages , Rita Oleksak , said her staff was honored to host the celebration .

“ We had new languages that were represented , and I really liked changing it up and having poems there , ” she said . “ There was a lot of excitement with the kids . ”

The celebration grew over the years, but is kept at the 200-255 student level , otherwise , it would overwhelm almost any auditorium , like it nearly did to the one at Smith . Of course , there’s the attention span factor to consider , as well .

Many of the organizers said the event speaks to the importance of language studies on the elementary level , and advocated for the removal of the programs from the chopping block , where it currently sits in some districts , as towns mull their budget options for next year.

“ We hope to not have these programs cut , because in our global world , this is a 21 st century skill , ” Moraga said . “ Our students need to start young, and continue right through high school and college . ”

Moraga said since next yearis the celebration’s 20 th year, some special things are being planned , including video clips of past years, and other remembrances .

“ We’re still thinking , ” Moraga said , “ but we’re going to do something special . ”

For more information , visit www . ctcolt . org .