Colgan's Culture day: Beyond the Customs

By: Kingston Mills

November 13, 2023

Colgan’s second annual Culture Day was held on Friday, October 13th. The Colgan community is very diverse with many cultures and walks of life combined into one school. Culture Day is a day for students to represent their backgrounds and celebrate traditions. Culture includes various features, beliefs, tendencies, styles, and art derived from the past. However, what importance does Culture Day bring to students at Colgan?   

“Sharing my culture is important for me to do because it’s my heritage and I want people to know that” said Junior, Alianys Rivera-Vasquez.    

  Junior, Hafasa Maidanwall exclaimed, “It means everything, it means my identity.”   

Something that highlights such significance deserves to be spotlighted throughout the school year. Many students participated in Culture Day, showcasing their country through clothing, dances, headwear, and cuisine. During all lunch periods, performances were held in the amphitheater outside. Colorful outfits, flags and bright smiles flooded the hallways throughout the day. 

    “It should be known that everyone should be able to express their culture,” said Gabriel Dias, a Sophomore representing Portugal. 

        The difference in culture can sometimes cause challenges between people from different cultures. According to justice.gov, the FBI recorded 13,337 hate crimes through 2022. Of the offenses, 59.1% were related to ancestry and another 17.3% accounted for crimes based on religion. Such drastic results paint the picture of division within America. In order to move past this, it is essential to accept the beliefs and traditions of others and to not judge those who have contrasting backgrounds. 

  Rivera-Vasquez exclaimed, “It’s important to learn as much as you can. Be very open-minded."    

        Events at schools like Colgan’s Culture Day, give young adults the opportunity to educate themselves on the countless walks of life in the world. It also allows students to show their origin and give appreciation to the places and people that help mold them. Culture Day is crucial to the Colgan community by showing gratitude to customs of the past.