McLean High School cafeteria was a vibrant celebration of culture, food and community during this year’s International Night, an event that brought students, families and staff together to honor the diversity that defines the school.
Hosted by a mix of student cultural clubs and the International club, International Night stood as a success. Students were able to visit various booths and learn about traditions and performances that took months to choreograph and learn.
“It took weeks of training. We first found songs matching what we wanted to display, then choreographed steps and practiced around everybody’s busy schedules,” McLean Andaaz (bollywood dance group) performer Manushri Singh said.
Throughout the evening, the stage was the center of attention where students performed traditional dances and sang songs. Following each performance, applause echoed in the auditorium, leaving students stunned by each and every choreography or vocal performance.
“The performances were really just mindblowing. I can’t even imagine the amount of work, dedication and hard work. I also can’t even imagine how much time it took to make the dances and songs possible while juggling school,” sophomore Lucas Hendrix said.
One of the biggest highlights of the night was the cultural food.
Families contributed homemade dishes ranging from savory entrees to sweet desserts, allowing attendees to sample food and drinks from flavors across the globe.
“Tasting each food from its respective nation has really taught me about every nation’s dish and its cultural flavors,” Student Human Rights Commissioner (SHRC) Eitan Miller said.
More than just a showcase, International Night created a space for connection, where students were able to find common ground through curiosity and appreciation for ethnic values.
“Each year, the Korean club always tries to bring as much food, games and interactive things as possible to really teach people about our culture,” Korean club co-president Daniel Kim said.
Behind the scenes, months of planning went into organizing the event. Student leaders coordinated room arrangements, logistics, scheduled performances and collaborated across clubs to ensure the night had run smoothly.
` “It took about a month of prepping. A very big part of prepping really came from volunteering, as they brought food and helped set up. The performers were really important to gather, as they really brought the night together,” International Club president Leena Eid said.
Volunteers were the key behind the event’s success, as their dedication was evident in every detail,—from decorations to the carefully-planned program schedule.
“We started months before, planning meetings, setting up decorations and most importantly making sure performers were on track to keep schedule for the big day,” volunteer Cailin Yau said.
By the end of the evening, the cafeteria no longer stood as a lunchroom, but a symbol of unity—bringing families, staff and students together to celebrate each other’s culture. International Night reminded the McLean community that diversity is not just something to acknowledge, but rather something to celebrate.
