Last night, participants in the eighth annual International Night celebrated the diversity of the Marshall community, which includes students and families from over 82 different countries around the world.
“It’s a good way to show the diversity that Marshall has, especially compared to other high schools in the area,” junior George Eltzroth said.
An educational event like this one required extensive planning and organizing, led by planning committee co-chairs Annie Klockner and Nancy Garcia. They began their work in the fall, planning a meal, booths and a show.
“This is a trip around the world without the jet lag,” Klockner said.
Klockner and Garcia spent hours reaching out to faculty, the community and—with the help of social studies teacher Sean Rolon—students who celebrated their home countries in a variety of methods.
“I like to see kids really showcasing their culture in a unique setting that allows them to be who they are and show what they believe in and what their culture is like,” Rolon said.
Rolon organized the groups, set up the music lists and made sure that the show went off without a hitch.
“The students develop their own performances, often based in ethnic traditions that, in some cases, are centuries old,” volunteer John Eltzroth said.
Countries represnted at last night’s event included India, Japan, Bolivia, Spain and Iran.
“The United States is only a small part of the world,” Rolon said. “There are many different cultures, many individuals, many different belief systems in place.”