MCS celebrates cultural diversity with foreign students

Mt. Carmel School continued its long tradition of celebrating cultural diversity in the CNMI on Wednesday, with students, parents, faculty, and staff marking the daylong event with a parade, field games, and classroom activities.

Showcasing cultures ranging from China to India and Palau to Thailand, each class from first grade through twelfth prepared performances, food, and banners as well as dressed in clothing representative of their respective cultures. 

A total of 110 students from Ukueinishi Junior and Senior High School in Japan joined MCS in its annual Cultural Diversity Day.

School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero expressed his gratitude for the visiting students’ presence, which was made possible in part by the Marianas Visitors Authority in an effort to foster a greater appreciation of diversity among the island youth. 

In his remarks, Guerrero explained the importance of cultural diversity and its role in uniting people, especially students, in the Marianas. He said that diversity does not divide, but instead unites people from all walks of life.

Guerrero exchanged school gifts with Ikueinishi principal Shigeto Kitatani, who explained how his school’s visit allowed its students to immerse themselves in the island’s culture. 

“We understand the pain the recent typhoon brought and still continues to bring,” he noted. “Thank you for having us and showing your island’s beauty.” 

The Ikuenishi student council president expressed similar sentiments and said that she and her friends enjoyed their time with their island counterparts.

The visiting students presented cultural dances and songs to the MCS student body, and did a presentation about popular cities in Japan. 

As a part of its celebration, the MCS student council hosted a poster contest, which called on students to draw the cultural face of the NMI. Students also wrote poems and essays explaining how cultural diversity has contributed positively to the islands.

“The most important positive effect of cultural diversity is the development of relationships. As children growing up, we recognize the differences between ourselves and others,” essay champion and junior student Brianna Hunter said. “Not all of our facial features are similar, we may not speak the same language or even eat the same food. However, with constant exposure to an array of friends, classmates and teachers of different ethnicities, we come to appreciate everyone for their unique cultural perspective and their individual being.”