Multicultural Night

Jason and I volunteered to be the leads of the Puerto Rican team for this very big MCN that occurred last Friday. It was many months in the making and was definitely worth it! It was held at Karissa's school, Gallimore, and they're hoping it will be an annual event.

The program entailed 45 minutes of entertainment in the gym from each country, followed by globetrotting to various classrooms representing each of the 11 countries, and an International Cafe in the cafeteria. There was also a Henna Salon since there is a very big influence of people from India at Gallimore.

One of my favorite parts was the very beginning when we all rose for the American flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then a group sang the National Anthem. It was heart-warming to see all the kids standing in front of me, dressed according the their culture, many of them looking like they are actually from other countries, paying respect to the flag of our country that we share together. The country in which we are all free.

There were songs, skits, dances, and slide shows performed. Then the globetrotting started. Each kid got a "passport" when they arrived for the night and as they entered each classroom, they had to find the answer to a question pertaining to that country, answer a question pertaining to the teacher who teaches in that classroom during the day, and then get a stamp in the box. The countries represented that night were:

Pakistan, Morocco, Japan, Finland, China, Puerto Rico, India, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Colombia.

I met two wonderful ladies who were on team Puerto Rico with us as well. Tanya, whose mom is from PR, and Frances who was born there. Jason went to one group meeting that I couldn't make, but mostly I met with the large group and team PR. When I met with Tanya and Frances I always joked about being the lead of the group, even though I don't have any Puerto Rican blood in me. That's okay, I've got the love!

Tanya's son and daughter, both students at Gallimore, and Fracnes' daughter, a student there as well, performed in the dance, Bomba, by our group. They were joined by Karissa and Austin (even though he doesn't go there, he was a great trooper to learn the Bomba!) and our friend Zach, who attends Gallimore and was in the play with Karissa.We only practiced a few times, so the kids really did a great job on their dance!

There were a lot of meetings, prior to the event, and a lot of emails/texts, but it was so worth it and so many people enjoyed the night!

Arroz con Gandules (what Puerto Rico served in the cafeteria). This is not the picture of our food, but I forgot to take one. I was mostly in the classroom and Jason was helping with the food, but I did go down and taste a lot of the food from the other countries and they were delish!

Practicing for the show. Dianna, Sylvie, Karissa, Austin, Zach, Simon.

My Bomba dancers.

Dianna, Austin, Karissa, Zach

Me and Meena, the lady in charge of the whole event!

Meena, Mrs. Bell (school principal), Me, Tanya, and Frances

Door decor created by the studnets of that classroom.

Our displays. They included information about economy, food, heritage, and famous sights. Jason was the brains behind the information.

We had instruments and seashells from PR here, though I didn't get a close-up. Also, the yellow poster has questions and answers about PR, including the question for the passport which was: Who discovered  Puerto Rico?

Our Kids Activities table included making vejigantes, masks worn at festivals in PR.

We forgot to take a picture there, but here is my favorite Puerto Rican!