On Tuesday November 18th, San Marcos held its second annual World Culture Day celebration to highlight and uplift the vibrant diversity that shapes our school community. Participating students decorated tables, shared cuisines from the countries they represented, and came dressed in traditional cultural attire to showcase their unique heritages. During lunch, all students were invited to attend the event and encouraged to learn about the variety of cultures featured. With lively music, colorful posters, and flags from over 25 countries displayed around the quad, this year’s World Culture Day saw more participation than ever before.
Without careful and creative planning from ASB, putting on such a welcoming and exciting event could not have been possible.
“I was pleased to see the increase in participation compared to last year’s inaugural event,” said Activities Director Mr. Hiracheta, “Though it may seem like an easy way to gain community service and share food, the magic behind the event is creating a way for students to connect with their families, pass down traditions and recipes, and learn about their heritage. We have such a diverse school community and this event allows students to embrace and share a piece of their culture.”
Without a doubt, the most exciting aspect of World Culture Day for most San Marcos students was the ability to sample dishes from a wide variety of continents. From Brazil to Canada to Japan, students had the opportunity to try foods from all over the world. Sharing food is an accessible way to experience and appreciate different cultures and build connections with those from different backgrounds. Meals often carry stories that serve as windows into the traditions, histories, and customs of others around us.
Senior Aurora Ivanova participated in World Culture Day, representing Russia. “For world culture day I made two dishes: a savory crepe filled with cabbage and egg and a chocolatey fudgey dessert. Both of these dishes are very traditional to Russian culture. I loved sharing them with all of the San Marcos students as well as connecting with the other students at my table and sharing our love for our culture,” Aurora said.
Another senior participant, Mya Shenoda, showcased Egyptian culture. “It was a team effort at the Egypt table! My sister and I brought Mahshi (stuffed grape leaves), Goulash (stuffed filo dough), pita chips and hummus. Lyle and Sasha Dessouky brought Besbousa, which is a cake made of semolina flour, while Luca Anis made Kofta, which are basically Egyptian meatballs. Karenna Saleh brought mini pyramids from Egypt, while Cade Moharram helped man the table. It was such a fun experience to work with people from my background to show others our unique culture,” said Mya.
In addition to sharing food, many students came dressed in their culture’s traditional clothing to present students with an interesting visual of their unique customs.
“I wore a traditional kokoshnik (headdress), platok (shawl), and an embroidered linen shirt to represent my Russian heritage,” said Senior Ellen Butler.
World Culture Day serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating our diverse backgrounds and experiences to the San Marcos Community. Sharing aspects of our distinct cultures ensures that rich traditions, valuable knowledge, and invaluable stories continue to thrive for generations to come. If you were unable to attend this year’s World Culture Day, make sure to participate in this wonderful tradition next year!
