On Wednesday, March 12, our school hosted the 4th annual Multicultural Fair in the MPR during lunch, offering students the chance to take a cultural journey around the world all within one room. The event featured a variety of countries including Mexico, Latvia, Cuba, the Philippines, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Ireland, South Korea, Peru, Colombia, Armenia, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Polynesia, and France.
Each country represented at the fair brought a display poster filled with interesting facts about their country along with a delicious snack or drink for students to sample. From squishy rice balls filled with a sweet sesame seed filling from South Korea, sliced strawberries in a cup with a creamy sweet sauce from Mexico, or delicious banana beignets covered in powdered sugar.
The event was a celebration of our diverse identities, showing the importance of being proud of one’s culture. Our Director of Inclusivity Equity and Diversity Senior Karen Truong, shared her personal experience with bullying and how it shaped her passion for promoting cultural awareness. “As someone who was bullied growing up for being Asian American and looking different, identity has always been something that I am very passionate about,” Truong said. “I believe people should never be ashamed of who they are. We are all different, and that’s what makes us special.”
Truong recalled a moment from her childhood when she was teased for the food in her lunchbox, a memory that left her feeling ashamed of her Vietnamese American identity. However, as she grew older Truong learned to embrace her uniqueness and fight against the societal pressures that tried to make her feel less than others. “I don’t want us to be melted down into one ice block. We may all be American, but individually we all are different.”
The Multicultural Fair was not only an opportunity to try new foods but also a chance to honor and celebrate the cultures that make up our community. America is built on diversity, and it is vital that we showcase and appreciate that diversity in all its forms.
The fair was a heartwarming reminder that by embracing our differences, we can create a more inclusive and understanding world.
