2023-24 Multicultural Night
Welcome All!
The PTO is proud to bring back this annual free multicultural community event. The evening will start with activities in the lobby / library / counseling room for families, paired with food samples in the cafeteria. Performances will begin at 7pm in the gymnasium after a brief welcome from Principal Irani and the PTO. We hope you have a wonderful time at this event!
Note: pictures taken at the event may be featured on our website, social media or other communications.
Activities (Lobby/Library)
Henna Art offered by Ms. Alkyam
Henna is a dye prepared from the dried and powdered leaves of the henna tree. It has been used since at least the ancient Egyptian period as a hair and body dye. After henna stains reach their peak color, they hold for a few days, then gradually wear off within one to three weeks. Henna has been used in ancient Egypt, ancient Near East and then the Indian subcontinent to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather.Calligraphy offered by Mr. Rickabaugh in the Counseling room
Experience the beauty of writing from across the globe, where guests express creativity through ink and paper.Guatemalan Worry Dolls offered by Ms. Carswell and Ms. Pucket
Make your own doll to tell your troubles to before you go to bed. When placed under the bed or pillow, your doll will work to take the worries away. According to Guatamalan legend, the doll worries about the problem, instead of the person, allowing the person to sleep peacefully.Agnor-Hurt "Culture Tree" led by Ms. Lopez
Add your leaf showing something special you do as a family. Draw and/or color a picture or write on a leaf, cut it out and glue it on our Culture Tree!
Not sure what to draw or write? Think about games you play, stories you tell, foods you eat, things your family has taught you, celebrations you have, times you get together, a language your speak, songs and/or dances you perform or listen to, what you do for fun, or who is in your family.Literature Around the World in the Library
Enjoy a quiet area where books from different countries and cultures will be made available.
Schedule of Performances (Gymnasium)
Community Fashion Show
Students and families are encouraged to come to the event in traditional dress and are welcome to participate in a fashion show parade of their outfits.Salvadorian Dance Performance
Patricia Cruz Torres and her 4-year-old daughter, Stacy, will be performing "El sombrero azul", a traditional Salvadorian dance resembling a "cumbia" that is typically danced in various important social events in their home country including quincieañeras. The song, El sombrero azul, is an anthem of solidarity and support for the Salvadorian people during a period of intense depression and social uprising in El Salvador.Step featuring Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. The fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911. Members of Omega Psi Phi will discuss the history and importance of brotherhood and perform a step.Greek Poem "Thourios" by Rigas Feraios (Recited by James Xixis)
Kindergartener James Xixis recite one of the most famous poems of all time in Greece. The full poem and translation are available to read here. Rigas wrote poems and books about Greek history, and many became popular. This poem was the Thourios or battle-hymn in 1797, in which he urged Greeks to leave towns for the mountains, where they could find freedom, organize and fight against tyranny. Efforts like these of Rigas eventually led to modern Greek independence in 1830. Children all over Greece sing and recite these most famous verses.African Drumming
Nia Jackson and Whit Whitten will perform using traditional African drums.Venezuelan Poem Recitation
Nicolas Mendoza will recite a brief Venezuelan poem for the community to enjoy.Pakistan Dance
Ahmad and Haleem Sikander will dance together with traditional dance moves from Punjab. The dance is based on their traditional cultural attire and language. The language signifies the importance of happiness that people usually celebrate at weddings and all kinds of events in Pakistan, especially in Punjab. Music found here.
Food samples & Cultural Displays (Cafeteria)
Gallo Pinto & Fried Cheese (Nicaragua) from the Mayorga family
Gallo Pinto is an everyday meal in Nicaragua - very easy to prepare and delicious for everyone at home.
Ingredients: rice, beans, onions, garlic, cheese
Soul Food (US) from the Burton / Jackson family
Ingredients (Mac and cheese): elbow noodles, sharp cheese, mild cheddar, parmesan cheese, butter, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, heavy cream, milk, Goya Adoba all purpose season, Cajun season
Ingredients (Hoppin Johns): white rice, beans, sausage
Ingredients (Yams): sweet potatoes, milk, vanilla, coconut, almond, lemon, butter, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon
Ingredients (Meatballs): grape jelly, BBQ sauce
Ingredients (Collard Greens): vinegar, salt, pepper, pork
Rolls & Bread Pudding
Venezuelan cuisine from the Mendoza family
Spinach Pies (Palentine) from the Khalaifeh / Daglawi family
Ingredients: dough, spinach, onion
Lumpia (Philippines) from the Uchi Family
Ingredients: carrots, beef, celery, spices, pork
Tamales (Mexico) from the Arguello family
The "tamales rancheros" are a staple in every Mexican gathering or event.
Ingredients: instant corn masa flour (Maseca), chicken stock, vegetable oil, salt, roma tomato, chiles guajillos, cloves, black pepper, chicken, plantain leaves, mexican pepperleaf
Spanokopita (Greece) from the Xixis family
One of the traditional Greek dishes, it would and still covers the holiday table in our family. Cooked phyllo is one of the essential smells of Greek cuisine, like cloves, lemon, oregano, and mint. For the kids, the best part is the feta cheese, which they love to eat.
Ingredients:
Flour, Olive Oil, Salt, Water, Semolina, Egg, Green onions, spinach, oregano, dill, lemon zest, feta cheese, pepper, cream cheese
Pupusa (El Salvador) from the Borja family
Pupusas are corn tortillas stuffed with a variety of different savory fillings like Cheese, beans, pork or Veggies. They originally were a vegetarian dish, typically only stuffed with beans and lots of veggies and herbs. Now you can add any type of meat to it to spice it up a bit, and also it comes with curtido & salsa. You can eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most importantly, making pupusas allows the family to gather together on special occasions and enjoyed a cheesy pupusa!
Ingredients: Corn Masa(flour) cheese, beans
Sandwichitos de Mezcla, Mantecaditos, and Panetela de Guayaba (Puerto Rico) from the Clay-Rodriguez family
At every Puerto Rican birthday party or event, you will find an assortment of finger foods that range from savory to sweet and are full of flavor. You will find these "sandwichitos", mantecaditos, and guava squares at most gatherings.
Ingredients (Sandwichitos de Mezcla): velveeta cheese, spam, roasted red peppers, white bread
Ingredients (Mantecaditos): butter, shortening, all-purpose flour, sugar, vanilla extract, sprinkles
Ingredients (Panetela de Guayaba): butter, self-rising flour, eggs, sugar, guava paste
Manakeesh Za'tar, Mujadara, and Black Tea with Sage (Jordan) from Ms. Alkyam
Ingredients (Mujadara): brown lentils, medium grain rice, ground cumin, salt, boiled water, extra virgin olive oil, ghee, red onions, flour, sumac
Ingredients (Manakeesh Za'tar): Za'tar space is a blend of savory dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and toasted earthy spices like cumin, coriander, sesame seeds, salt, and sumac. Sumac gives it the delicious unexpected tanginess that, to me, is the key to the best za'tar. We will put a za'tar and olive oil on dough similar to pizza dough.
Vegetable Lo Mein and Fortune Cookies from Ming Dynasty Restaurant
Pastelitos from Guajiros Miami Eatery
Puff pastry filled guava or guava & cream cheese
Assorted food from Sultan Kebob
