WCDS International Cultural Festival Highlights More than 20 Countries
Westchester Country Day School students and faculty celebrated the international diversity within the school community by hosting a day-long International Cultural Festival on March 3 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The event provided students and faculty with an opportunity to learn about more than 20 countries represented within the Westchester community through performances and exhibits.
The event was organized by Upper School student members of the International Cultures Association club in partnership with the World Languages faculty and parent volunteers. Westchester families were very involved in contributing items, foods and activities from their own cultural heritage and traditions to make this an enriching educational experience for all.
The morning began with assemblies featuring several performances. These included Irish dancing by 11th grade student Emma Engle and other dancers with the Walsh Kelley School of Irish Dance, a vocal performance of Chinese pop music written and performed by Dynasty Rui, a 2020 graduate, who is now a student at High Point University, and traditional African drum music from Ghana led by Dr. Mark Braun and performed by music faculty and students. There were also poetry readings, children’s stories and songs shared by students in different native languages such as Greek, German and Spanish.
Following the assembly, classes visited an exhibition hall set up in Rives Hall with tables representing countries from around the world. Each country was represented by artifacts and memorabilia contributed by our parent volunteers and faculty members. Volunteers shared facts about the history, geography and traditions of their country as well as tasty food samples. Students enjoyed collecting stickers in a passport for each country they visited while interacting with the activities presented at each display. Outside of Rives Hall, there was a motorcycle display featuring bikes from various countries, and senior Alex Hicks prepared chicken satay on a grill in the courtyard.
Diana García, who is a Spanish teacher in the Middle and Upper Schools, is the faculty advisor for the International Cultures Association. She said it was fulfilling to see such an important traditional for the school come back to life under her students’ leadership.
Working with the members of the International Cultures Association has been a great experience. As an advisor, I have been able to watch through the years as these students grow while developing essential life skills that will prepare them for both their future careers and personal journeys. They were able to come together amidst difficult obstacles to bring together the school community and, in doing so, have served as an example of what Westchester is all about. I am very proud of them!
-- Diana García, Upper and Middle School Spanish teacher and advisor to the ICA
