WHAT DOES CULTURE MEAN TO YOU?

By: Julian Flores Gomez, Mahider Getachew, Sidra Nuri

Edited by: Sidra Nuri, Shawn Chu

Posted at 3:00 pm PDT, January 31st, 2024

Culture Week is what ISB is popularly known for celebrating: a week-long series of events that showcase the appreciation of international diversity and a variety of backgrounds and heritages. Culture Week is particularly recognized for the local guests it brings in, each with a deep connection to students' backgrounds, representing various performances and inviting keynote speakers to delve deeper into our annual themes. This year, ISB explored the theme of Indigenous peoples with Steph Littlebird, who emphasized what it means to be Indigenous and the importance of land acknowledgments. Students participate in a range of student-led workshops and activities while also learning about various topics beyond just culture. To conclude this special week, International Night, an annual favorite, invites students, parents, and friends to connect and support the amazing cultural performers, enjoy delicious food for sale, and participate in activities hosted by national honor societies. Although Culture Week lasts for a week, it is enthusiastically embraced by students, making it the best student experience at ISB.

CULTURE WEEK AT ISB

DAY 1: STEPH LITTLE BIRD/ PARADE OF NATIONS

Steph Little Bird:

We were honored to hear from Steph Littlebird, a keynote Native American artist from Portland, Oregon. Descending from the Chinook and Kalapuyan peoples of the Willamette Valley, Steph shared her powerful perspective on art and its role in service to the community. Her work not only reflects her heritage but also serves to uplift and represent Indigenous voices both locally and across the U.S.

Parade of Nations:

To kick off Culture Week, ISB students participated in the beloved Parade of Nations tradition. Each year, students walk through the school proudly carrying a flag that represents a special meaning or connection to their heritage. This year, a new addition to the tradition allowed students to wear attire related to the country represented, turning the parade into a cultural fashion show. The event is a beautiful reminder of ISB’s diversity and our unique backgrounds.

DAY 2: DJ ANJALI & THE INCREDIBLE KID/KATIE JANE BAND

On Day 2 of Culture Week, students were treated to two dynamic performances that showcased rich cultural traditions. The first assembly featured DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid, a Portland-based DJ duo known for blending South Asian music with electronic dance beats. Their set combined traditional Indian sounds, like bhangra and Bollywood music, with modern electronic rhythms, offering a unique fusion of cultures and engaging the audience in a celebration of South Asian heritage.

The second assembly brought the energetic sounds of The Katie Jane Band, a Celtic fiddle group from Portland, Oregon. Known for their virtuosic fiddling and lively performances, the band showcased traditional Celtic music from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Canada, and the USA. Katie Jane's dynamic stage presence, along with her high-speed fiddling and engaging storytelling, immersed the audience in the folklore and joy of Celtic music.

DAY 3: WORKSHOPS

Day 3 of Culture Week provided a full day of engaging workshops where students had the opportunity to explore and learn in a hands-on environment. Activities included piñata making, crafting gratitude cards, and learning various cultural dances, offering something for everyone. Students also had the chance to take the lead, facilitating their workshops and sharing knowledge with their peers. It was a day focused on creativity, cultural exchange, and active participation, allowing students to connect in meaningful ways while celebrating diversity.

DAY 4: BLANTON STREET LIVE

The final event of Culture Week, Blanton Street Live, featured a student talent showcase where individuals had the opportunity to perform a wide range of talents, including singing, dancing, and much more. This event provided a platform for students to highlight their skills and creativity in a supportive and engaging environment. As the concluding activity of Culture Week, *Blanton Street Live* served as a fitting celebration of the diverse talents and cultures within the school community.

As culture week comes to an end, International Night celebrates the joyous full week of international appreciation through the amazing cultural performers, delicious foods for sale, and activities held by national honor societies. Doors open at 6 pm and the event ends at 10, allowing the bustling night filled with parents, students, and friends to enjoy the hospitality of ISB’s grand celebration. Guests buy tickets, each for 50 cents, required for games and activities as well as delicacies sold by student-led clubs. Culture week may be a breeze, but International Night wraps up the annual celebration of ISB.

CULTURE QUOTES:

Carter (sophomore) describes culture as “hanging out with family and following traditions”

Gio (sophomore) believes culture means “ to have the ability to spend time with your family” and “getting to know your race and tradition”

Nhi (freshmen) to Nhi culture means “to express myself with my family and like my ethnicity”

Hannah (freshman) believes culture to be “your identity and your family’s identity and or like history”

Mrs. Hernandez (Health/PE teacher) “Where you came from, your beliefs, your family your traditions”

Levi (Junior) “Your background and like religion and culture like country and traditions”

Mazzy ( sophomore ) “Culture and especially family traditions are really important, They help bring stories from the past” and “help you learn more about the diversity of the world”

Michelle (sophomore ) believes culture to be “ representing your community”

(Freshmen) “culture means like family and traditions and things you do with other people, It's about where you are from, where you are now”

Airin (Freshmen) “Culture means the past down heritage of the people that came before me”

Ailin (Freshmen) “a way of life, a group of people, the behaviors and beliefs, values and symbols that they accept”

Sebastian (8th Grader) “Where you live, foods, culture, celebrations, specific holidays”

Ang (8th grader) “Culture means diversity in our community and tradition like food sometimes, you could dress up in certain ways”

Andrew Gilford (principal) believes that the culture at ISB is “an expression of who we are”

“Our foods, the way we interact with each other, the languages, the religions from the part of where we are from”

Culture encompasses many different perspectives and ideas. As Carter describes, culture involves “hanging out with family and following traditions”. At the same time, Gio shares his viewpoint as “having the ability to spend time with your family” and “getting to know your race and tradition”. Nhi views culture as a way to express herself with “my family and like my ethnicity”. Hannah, a freshman, believes that culture is “your identity and your family’s identity and or like history”. Mazzy, a sophomore, goes into depth about what culture means to her as she identifies the importance of culture “especially family traditions which are important. They help bring stories from the past” and “help you learn more about the diversity of the world”. Michelle believes culture to be “representing your community” while freshman Airin describes culture as “the past downed heritage of the people that came before me”. Ailin provides a comprehensive viewpoint sharing that culture is “a way of life, a group of people, the behaviors and beliefs, values and symbols that they accept”. Sebastian, an 8th grader, describes culture as “Where you live, foods, culture, celebrations, specific holidays” And, an 8th grader shares that “Culture means diversity in our community and tradition like food sometimes, you could dress up in certain ways”. Staff also answer the question “What does culture mean to you” Mrs. Hernandez, a Health/PE teacher expresses it as“Where you came from, your beliefs, your family, your traditions”. Finally, our principal, Andrew Gilford states his viewpoint believing that the culture at ISB is “an expression of who we are”...“Our foods, the way we interact with each other, the languages, the religions from the part of where we are from” all are a part of what culture means.

WHAT DOES CULTURE MEAN TO YOU?

RESULTS

ISB Red Cross Club is a fun and engaging club that is focused on volunteer work and community. This year our club is hosting a blood drive! Currently, there is a large shortage of blood throughout the United States. Additionally, we are helping a 4-year-old girl who is need of blood. WE NEED YOUR HELP!! If you are 16+, please sign up at lunch on February 19th, 20th, 26th, or 27th for the drive on March 4th! Email us at 1st.isb.redcross@gmail.com if you have any questions, hope to see you there!

DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN

A big thank you to Dave's Hot Chicken for generously sponsoring a $30 gift card towards our raffle! Be sure to check out their delicious menu at 2545 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Unit 100, Beaverton, OR 97005. We appreciate your support!

NOTHING BUNDT CAKE

A big thank you to Nothing Bundt Cakes for sponsoring a free Nothing Bundt Cake voucher, valid only for February! Be sure to swing by their location at 2037 NW 185th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124. We truly appreciate your generous support!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL ISB LAIR MEMBERS FOR MAKING THIS EDITION POSSIBLE! ESPECIALLY...

WRITERS: Julian Flores Gomez, Mahider Getachew

DESIGNERS: Shawn Chu, Sidra Nuri

EDITORS: Sidra Nuri

INTERVIEWERS: Sidra Nuri, Nhi Truong, Dimah Matti, Chloe Cruz

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Shawn Chu, Yearbook Photographer

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