Walking around the building everyday, you may not notice anything special about our population. People try hard to fit into the modern expectations of fashion day after day, but our school is something special. When 1800 people all melt together into 1 building, there’s bound to be a mixing of cultures. Each one of us has our own unique backgrounds and stories, but we never get a chance to share that. That’s exactly why international day has taken place the last few years. It’s a time to appreciate and recognize the cultures that make up our school.
As you made your way down to the main gym for international day, there was an abundance of spirit and appreciation for the numerous countries represented. With over 44 countries from around the world right in our own school, there was no shortage of new things to try, whether it was immersing in new food, experiencing the message that comes from traditional tattoos, or the colorful posters showcasing all aspects of different cultures. A few of the many countries were Bulgaria, India, East Turkestan, Cuba, Germany, Sri Lanka, China, Uzbekistan, Honduras, and Panama.
This year’s version of International Day was definitely the best presentation that the committee has put together. First of all, the food stalls were always active. Each booth had a different flavor, Bulgaria had a cheesy bread, India served a bowl of chicken and rice with a sauce and small donut, and Sri Lanka had a coconut flavored roll and a basket of black tea bags. The only stalls that didn’t have a line running from them were out of food, and those people were found walking around trying other foods.
The most common piece of culture that almost everyone shares is the use of music and dance, and there was no shortage of that. In the time that we spent in the gym, there was a dance circle in the middle the whole time. People from all over the event were met in the middle to celebrate middle eastern culture while Spanish music played over the speakers. It was a high school international day in the truest sense.
In the past, International day has been a bit disappointing. It’s often been just crowded and a bit boring, but this year I think the committee really did a great job. From the promotion throughout the month, to the canned food drive, this year’s version seemed to mean more for everyone. There was more diversity than ever and it really is a good sign that Thomas Worthington is becoming a leader in diversifying the school.
