Every year, Kingsway holds its Multicultural assembly; filled with diverse cultures & backgrounds, this assembly is one of Kingsway’s best, showcasing the unique identities of numerous Dragons. This year, the assembly presented cultural dances, with poems and traditional spoken words as transitions between cultures.
Under the co-advisors, Mrs. Cheng and Mrs. Villarreal, this event was hosted by the WCC, or World Cultures Club, here at Kingsway. However, this celebration of cultural diversity was not a one-day event. The entire week, students performing in the show showcased and shared their cultures, customs, foods, and what this particular art form meant to their identities. The week itself was about educating and learning about cultural heritage!
When I talked to Mrs. Cheng and Mrs. Villarrael they both expressed their love for the program. “This assembly is meaningful to me because it celebrates the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and voices within our school community,” said Mrs. Cheng. She enjoys seeing students take the lead and express their passions on stage!
Mrs. Villarrael, heavily involved with the club, said, ” I began the assembly in 2019 to create a space where students could celebrate and share the rich diversity that exists within our school community. I wanted to expose the Kingsway student body to the beauty and value of our many different backgrounds. Each year, the assembly showcases student performances such as dances, songs, and poems that reflect their cultural heritage. ” She jokingly claims it’s her favorite day of the year, seeing people share their cultures proudly and sparking curiosity in the rest of the student body.
The program itself started with Asian culture. Jace Chen presented a Chinese poem, accompanied by pianist Vianna Staino, and then performed in the Interpretive Chinese Fan Dance, including Jace Chen, Daltan Nguyen, Gabrielle Cato, Grace Xiao, Maya Jaiswal, and Michael Sarullo-Zaalook.
The celebration moved into South Asia, with an energetic, peppy Bollywood performance done by dancers Mishi Chaturvedi, Krishani Parikh, Insia Bhagat, Anya Patel, Nina Lamalfa, Ella Godek, Colin McCourt, Justin Lewis, Gabe Trexler, Jason Shallis, Shiven Shah, and Arya Patel. Afterwards came another lively, vibrant Bollywood/Kollywood dance performance done by Elaina Palenchar, Ojasvi Gaekwad, Maya Jaiswal, Femy Alam, Prarthana Meganathan, and Nethiri Umashanger.
Then, the performance moved into another culture, with Yulia Bidula introducing the region through a Ukrainian poem. Turkish dancers Ayse naz Dolek, Merve Odabas, Akif Kalender, Juan A Maldonado Jr., Violet Kornegy, Saliha Onal presented a rich, traditional Turkish dance, followed by Michael Driscoll, Sean Crisfulla, Elsa Edenzon, Natalia Campbell, Jacob Reeves, and Talia Allen with a cheerful Hungarian dance.
The assembly then moved into Spanish and Latin culture with Shi’La Maldonado presenting an introductory poem, and performers Jun A Maldonando jr., Luz Escamilla Lopez, Keylin Escamilla Lopez, Jandiel Martinez Santiago, Shi’La Maldonado, Alexandra Cadena Maciel, Silvana Gonzalez Gotera, Youvica Reyes Myrthil, Warryn Phillips, Frank Martinez Carrillo, Dulce Recinos, and Nayshla Vera Alicea absolutely rocked the stage with Bachata/Merengue.
Next came twins Joseline and Jaqueline Hernandez, presenting a vivacious Mexican folk dance followed by the much-awaited reggaeton featuring Juan A Maldonando jr., Luz Escamilla Lopez, Keylin Escamilla Lopez, Justin Lewis, India Bhagat, Krishani Parikh, Mishi Chaturvedi, Jandiel Martinez Santiago, Shi’La Maldonando, Alexandra Cadena Maciel, Dulce Recinos, Silvana Gonzalez Gotera, Youvica Reyes Myrthil, and Elsa Endenzon.
Finally, the assembly moved into the last culture: Black/African. Speaker Gabrielle Kiner started off the culture with a remarkable poem, and afterwards, exuberant performers Raevyn Bryant and Rayvonne Roberson enacted an Afro-Caribbean dance. The program concluded with a crowd favorite, Hip Hop/ R&B, and was danced by Violey Kornegay, Elsa Edenzon, Kamiah Schofield, Logan Hines, Dianely Flores, Gabrielle Cato, Haley Blair, and Makynna Cottemond!
At the end of the performance, performers came out for final bows, dancing to a spirited line dance, and credits and thanks were given to stage crew members Mia Mendez and Annie Girard, Mrs. Bjanes, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs. Fox-Manno, and, of course, the incredible advisors. The performance was truly incredible, and students put in so much effort into making it a success.
This week at Kingsway was so significant and impactful, not only for depicting the rich and enriching cultures of Dragons but also by passing on that culture to others by sharing and performing. What a week of celebration and learning!