NRW High School Celebrates First-Ever Multicultural Week

Foods, games, dances, and traditions from around the world were celebrated in the halls of North Rose-Wolcott High School during its first Multicultural Week, held from May 4-8.

Each day celebrated a different part of the world – Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Americas. Food tastings at lunch were a hit among students, including ramen, beans and rice, and tostadas. During activity period, students learned traditional games, dances, and other activities from various cultures. 

Multicultural lessons and trivia questions were infused into classes, morning announcements opened with greetings in varying languages, and each day ended with a song from a different part of the world. Two spirit days were also held; staff and students wore green on Wednesday for Unity Day and colors that represented their culture on Friday for Flag Day.

Each student received a “passport” that they could stamp every time they participated in a Multicultural Week activity. Completed passports were exchanged for prizes.

The event was a culmination of months of planning and hard work from a committee of staff and students, sparked by an idea from ninth grader Jenessa Torrellas. “I wanted students from different cultures to feel included at school,” she said.

Getting teachers and staff on board with the idea was easy – and after speaking about the upcoming event at last month’s Forum, more and more students got on board as well, Jenessa said.

Students and staff lined up in the cafeteria to sign a paper banner designed by the Art Club, adding their own family traditions. Jenessa shared a tradition of her own: she and her family celebrate Día de Muertos by gathering to remember those who have passed and building home altars called ofrendas filled with items loved by the departed. “We send offerings to the dead, and people come and visit us,” she said.

Jenessa hopes Multicultural Week continues to grow each year at NRWHS and that students continue to share their cultures and traditions with one another. 

“It’s really nice. I feel accomplished. I feel pretty happy,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to get to know other people and maybe even make new friends.”