Winston Churchill once said “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day”. Guilderland High School did just that at last week’s Cultural Fair, sponsored by the school’s International Club. The school came together to celebrate and experience a wide range of cultures within its own community. Students worked for weeks in preparation for the event, creating booths that featured informational posters, country artifacts, native food, and interactive games. There were also several live performances throughout the day that showcased regional music, traditional dances, martial arts demos, and henna art.
The event took place in the West Gym, beginning at 8:30AM and each classroom was scheduled to visit the Cultural Fair at a specific time during the day. Students had the opportunity to tour the fair for 40 minutes and explore the “world” around them. Some booths featured students and staff with family members, which illustrated that a plane ride isn’t necessary to experience another country’s culture. Students were able to learn personally from a few of their classmates about differences in dialect, daily routines and family traditions without leaving Guilderland.
In addition to the vast number of booths, there were items available for attendees to purchase such as bamboo and peacock feathers. A food station in the back of the gym also prepared and sold a variety of delicious dishes.
This year’s Cultural Fair allowed students to celebrate the diversity of their school community and to “travel” the globe, without leaving GHS. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success. Special thanks to the GHS International Club who worked hard for months to put together this extraordinary event!
