The annual Multicultural Night at McLean is here. This Friday, March 8, an international banquet of foods from all around the world will commence, and while sampling, watch the international fashion show, featuring traditional clothing from a great diversity of countries.
“I think it’s a wonderful experience to see people from very different parts of the world come together in one night and one place, and have the opportunity to share and express their religion or culture to others,” freshman Fiona Do said.
Families have signed up to bring Korean, Spanish, Bolivian, Turkish, Afghan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Russian dishes, with over 17 restaurants donating other dishes from around the world. At the same time, there will be a fashion show showcasing models wearing traditional clothing from around the globe, from McLean High School and the local community. Guests are also encouraged to wear an outfit from their culture.
“My stomach of course loves the food … my eyes love the Fashion Show and my ears love the Entertainment. All my senses are so happy at the end of the evening,” Sandy Stingl, PTSA Chairperson for Multicultural Night said. “Pictures from the event are always lovely since they are colorful and so festive. Last year we had at least a dozen elementary age children come in outfits. We gathered them together to take a picture and we called them “Future Highlanders” [and] they all had a wonderful time.”
Starting off with a Potluck Dinner in the Cafeteria, bring eight dollars for admission to the international buffet or a dish feeding 8-10 people to share, for free admission to the banquet.
As well as activities including the international buffet and fashion show, the Multicultural Night show is a must-see, featuring some talented performers returning from last year such as Vincent Charette playing the piano and Kuan Goh performing a Chinese martial arts act. This year showcases other dances such as a modern Nepalese dance, Indian Bollywood dances, and also Irish dance.
“As the Harajuku performers for the event, we feel very excited to be participating in the show, yet a bit nervous being the largest group performing,” Do, team leader of the Harajuku Girls said. “However, having to plan time to rehearse the choreography, practicing during after school, on the weekends, and whenever else we could come together and dance, we feel like our hard efforts are finally paying off, at last.”
From cultural dances all around the globe and songs from other countries, the evening will be packed with a wide variety of acts. Among the dance groups, the two Bolivian dance teams have performed at the Macy’s Day Parade in New York and the Irish dancers from McGrath Academy include National qualifiers and world champion dancers.
“McLean High School students represent 63 different countries. That’s an amazing statistic since there are 173 countries in the United Nations and our students represent more than one third of those countries,” Stingl said. “It’s the 23rd year that McLean High has been celebrating Multicultural Night and it has only grown bigger and better each year. We invite the community to join us.”
New students at McLean from abroad are also eagerly awaiting the show.
“I feel nervous, but I also feel happy because I couldn’t imagine dancing AKB48 [Band] in my first time in America,” freshman member of the Harajuku Girls, Momoko Yokoi said.
Started by the ICU Club (International Cultures United Club) 23 years ago, their mission was to include as many cultural representatives as possible from McLean High School as well as local communities and 10 years ago, their efforts were joined by the PTSA. Dr. Alba C. Ben-Barka, sponser of the club, and Sandy Stingl, PTSA Chairperson for Multicultural Night are the primary organizers of the event.
“Under my guidance, the Club has grown and become all-inclusive,” Ben-Barka said. “Without the PTSA support, and particularly that of Mrs. Sandy, we could not expand the Multicultural Night to the level that it is now.”
The International buffet starts at 6pm and the performances begin at 7:15pm. From Chinese Yo- yos to belly dancing and drum solos, this year’s Multicultural Night show is not one to miss.
“Multicultural Night highlights the talents of our community by providing an opportunity for everyone to learn about each other’s
cultural diversity,” Ben-Barka said. “We believe it is important for all of us to understand our roots, to thrive from the gained insights, and to celebrate our own individuality while allowing others to learn and accept us.”
