When I first walked into the commons the evening of March 29th, I smelled different kinds of food, and heard latin music. This array of sensory delights were organized by Diane Bagley, —-administrator, into the first annual Feast of Nations.

Stands lined the walls waiting for me to read and learn about the cultures, religions, and ethnic groups they presented. By the stands there were students that were parts of these cultures, religions, and ethnic groups talking about what it was like and sharing with people their stories of the culture. In some stands, there was even food given out a French stand gave bread and bruschetta, and a Native American stand handed out fry bread with blueberry jam. It was delicious and informative. The packed cafeteria was full of life and enjoyment with different cultural dancing and music. Carmen Gonzalez was a performer who showed off a traditional latina dress and some fun salsa dancing.

This Feast of Nations could not be better timed. Just the night before Thursday the 28th a group of student from START held a dinner and the guest was Diane Wilson, author of Spirit Car. At that cultural event START asked the guests to come up with ideas they had for how to keep individual culture alive and have a joint community without assimilation. Almost everyone said that education about other cultures was key to this culture and community without assimilation.

The Feast of Nations was a way to learn about cultures in a fun, interactive way, with food and dance! It was creative and artsy while educational. Furthermore, it seemed as if everyone was having a great time. Even school members who didn’t know how to dance got to go on stage and learn how to salsa with Miss. Sadler. A variety of cultural events were unfolding as the night went on, from Henna to different cultural dance lessons. The Feast of Nations was a fun, culture-filled event that helped celebrate diversity and promoted learning of other cultures.