Mount Carmel School celebrates cultural diversity

A number of cities and towns across the nation recently decided to celebrate alternatives to Columbus Day that are more sensitive and cognizant of the Native Americans that discovered the American continent before Christopher Columbus did in 1492. Eight years ago, though, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands got way ahead of the curve when it enacted Public Law 15-04, declaring Oct. 13 Commonwealth Cultural Day instead of Columbus Day. Eight years later, the Commonwealth continues to celebrate this important holiday, which Mount Carmel School does as well with its own annual school-level Cultural Day. This year was no exception as the school celebrated its rich cultural diversity on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The day started with a parade of the many cultures represented at the school, along with cultural dances and presentations. The featured cultures and countries included Chamorro, Carolininan, Filipino, Japanese, China, India, Palau, Thailand, Russia, Vietnam, Australia, Korea, and the United States. The parade was kicked off and closed with performances from the school’s recently formed Dance Club. The kick-off dance was a contemporary dance to Korean pop songs, while the closing dance highlighted traditional Carolinian dancing with seniors dressed in cultural attire.

The parade also featured numerous cultural costumes, national flags, and special decorations and banners. These aspects of the parade, as well as the performances, were judged by the school’s business manager, Keiko Yamagata, school counselor Tobed Smith, and Theology instructor Vir Abueme. After the parade and presentations, students were treated to fun games, field events, and a mini-carnival. Students also brought their own cultural dishes for potluck parties at lunch and 7th through 12th grade students decorated their classrooms to represent their respective cultures and countries.

Later in the afternoon, students were recognized with Cultural Day awards. In the 1st through 6th grade division, 1st grade students took the overall award for banner, mascot, and display. In the 7th through 12th grade division, seniors took the overall prize for best decorated class, mascot, field games, and dance performance.

The school’s celebration of Cultural Day was coordinated by Student Council, whose president, Maria Fe “Eya” Lazaro, was very happy with how things turned out. “It was successful. We got to appreciate our many cultures and students had a lot of fun, especially with the games.”

William Camacho, Student Council vice president, echoed Lazaro’s sentiments. “It was great because throughout the day, there were opportunities for all kids of all age levels to enjoy themselves.”