Entering Opstad, dozens of students of different cultures and ethnicities gather to share their culture with the rest of City High. Some students are dressed in traditional garments, while others are dancing.
“Culture Day is just a very special event for students of color and others to showcase their culture. They present their cultural dances, they can sing, or they can play their instruments. Then we have boards, where it’s a poster that talks about their country and they bring artifacts or even food from their culture,” Helena Echa ‘24 said.
Culture Day is organized by the Multi-Ethnic Student Union, Latino Hawks, and the International Club. To allow students many options to express their culture, they have multiple committees, such as Boards Committee, Dance Committee, and the Fashion Show.
“So it originally started with some students from the International Club. They wanted to do a Culture Day, as well as me and Wisdom [Konu], not knowing that they had the same interest. We also wanted to do a Culture Day so we brought it up to our principal and he basically told us that we can do it. So last year, Wisdom and I, along with the International Club and Latino Hawks, collaborated together and we organized the first ever Culture Day,” Echa said.
Culture Day is not just enjoyable for students watching the show; but those in the show enjoy being able to teach about their culture.
“At [Culture Day] meetings, I prepare to be a part of the fashion show. [I enjoy] being able to share a part of my life with many others,” Layla Lovan ‘25 said.
Culture Day started just last year. With this year’s Culture Day being only the second, students have high hopes.
“There are more people this year and I am very excited to see how it’ll turn out. Get ready to see so many people share their culture in many different ways and a really amazing atmosphere,” Lovan said.
As Culture Day grows with this influx of students participating, those who run behind the scenes are working even harder to put on an even better show.
“We have more students eager to do it because of the success of last year. We have so much in store. We have so many performances, we have so many clothes, so many colors and good food,” Echa said.
Although Culture Day is still fairly new, it is still continuing to grow and develop.
“I hope that it becomes bigger and better. I hope that as it continues, even after we leave and seniors graduate. And I hope that more people join. I just hope that with Culture Day, students understand that there’s always a place for them and they have friends within the school,” Echa said.
