Hope for Change Club Takes the 2021 Multicultural Fair Online

by Hilary Htun

Multicultural education has been an educational goal to help students gain the knowledge needed to make decisions and actions for supporting democracy. Like educating them about important considerations, like choosing to not laugh to ethnic jokes that are offensive. These changes are made to change societal and social standards that harm different ethnic groups and discourage a democratic society.

At the Niskayuna, there are about 1,400 students enrolled. This student body includes around 1,036 White students, and 364 students who are Asian, Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, or 2 or more races. Among these ethnicities/races also include a wide variety of cultures and traditions.

To help embrace these many cultures, the Niskayuna High School’s first Multicultural Fair was held on March 6th, 2019 at the school by the Environment club and the Culture Advisory Council. The fair was originally designed to represent and celebrate the various cultures of the students. As well as to separate time to learn about these many backgrounds and cultures. Families and students that participated were asked to come and showcase their culture in some way, such as bringing in traditional dishes, clothing, or to share a presentation to the audience.

This year due to COVID, in person meetings were unable to be held at the school for events like these. To keep the tradition, the 2021 Niskayuna High School Multicultural Fair took place virtually on March 18th and 19th, with a group of individuals who recorded and put together information, videos, recipes, and etc. to experience some parts of their traditions. There were a total of 10 countries/cultures presented at the fair: Afro-Carribean Culture, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the Philippines, Portugal, Sicily, Sri Lanka, and Sweden. Of these countries and cultures, both teachers and students participated in sharing information.

Senior Tajea Eugene performed a traditional Afro-Carribean dance by recording a 3 minute video in one of the school classrooms. This video also shows the types of outfit and accessories the culture would use for dance, like using yellow fans made from feathers along with wearing a matching garment.

Ms. Dilbehbahani presented a google slide explaining the general information, diversity, sports, events, music, dishes, fruit, attractions, and tourist places of Brazil in a 4 minute video. During the video, she spends the most time providing information about the carnival events and playing the bright and fun music played at these events. Ms. Dilbehbahani also presents a separate google slide about the music, dance, food, visiting places, and etc. for Portugal.

Students Isabella Peng and Caitlyn Schneider gave a video guide/tutorial on Chinese paper cutting, while also explaining the symbolism and history behind this tradition. The two were able to stay virtual by presenting with a google meet to display the information.

Senior Faith Potter made a presentation on German Culture and based it on the southern state of Baden Württemberg in Germany. She explains the different types of food and drinks, music, literature, poets, philosophers, and the religion of the culture. Faith also ties it back to herself by talking about her family’s hometown in Auernheim. Sophomore Emily De Soyza also made a presentation on the country Sri Lanka, and so did junior Ava Giagni on country Sweden.

Freshman Aishani Misra recorded a video of her performing a traditional Indian dance along with the appropriate outfit and jewelry. Aishani also made a presentation about South India and the states’ general information, like the dishes and practiced religions.

Lastly, Mrs. Digirolamo also made a Google Doc on a Sicilian easter egg recipe called “Pupa Con L’Uova” that she ate as a child.

All of the students’ and teachers’ hard work still made the fair a success despite the challenges of being completely virtual. We extend our thanks and congratulations to all those that were involved in the multicultural fair.