On Friday, March 8, GFW Elementary became a showcase of different cultures with amazing attendance from community members. The idea came about because of all of the cultures represented in the GFW community. It was an evening filled with food, dances, music, and learning from each other. With representatives from Honduras, Spain, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, Liberia and West Africa, students and their families were able to explore the world without leaving the school!
The event was largely organized by the two Amity Interns as part of their program with great help from GFW staff, Principal Thompson, and others.
We asked a few of the folks who shared their culture for their perspective on the event!
Susana Zelaya - Amity Intern - El Salvador
Planning the festival was truly an experience. Each country was going to be represented through food, clothing, and traditions, so we knew we had to prepare everything well in advance. The support of parents and every student involved was absolutely essential. Personally, I know it’s common for some people to have never met anyone from El Salvador, so I saw this as a great opportunity to share more about my culture. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported, promoted, and attended the event—it became an unforgettable experience for me, thanks to them!
Cecilia Zendejas - First Grade Immersion Teacher - Mexico
The International Festival was a truly special experience for me. The atmosphere was vibrant, full of learning, laughter, and celebration of the diverse cultures within our community. It was heartwarming to see families come together, share their traditions, and enjoy the rich tapestry of foods, music, and dances from different parts of the world. At the same time, it allowed everyone to step into each other's world, fostering understanding, appreciation, and respect for what makes us all unique. The dance from Spain, the poetry performance from the immersion kindergarten class, and the hands-on activities like making corn tortillas and sharing traditional foods were all special moments that added a lot of meaning to the event.
Manuel Bermudez Juaranz - Amity Intern - Spain
This event was our biggest opportunity this year to show students and families the cultural richness present in their community. Community participation exceeded our expectations, and the festival wouldn’t have been the same without it! Planning was a very rewarding process, because preparing the materials and food we showcased helped us reconnect with and reflect more deeply on our own cultures. I’d like to thank everyone who participated and supported the festival, and I hope this enriching kind of event continues for many years to come!
Karen Maldonado Reyes - Kindergarten Immersion Teacher - Honduras
The International Festival was an incredible experience that was enjoyed by the families and I could say by the organizers as well. We were very surprised and excited to receive the amount of people that came to learn from each country and their differences. I was so proud to represent and share about my country and very excited to know about other cultures. I was very grateful for the support that the families showed as they came to learn about the different countries and they enjoyed each activity presented.
Jennifer Dela Cruz - Payroll Services - Philippines
Sharing my culture with the community was a really special experience. My husband and I brought a common Filipino dish of rice noodles and shared it with people who came to the event. We were with a few other Filipino teachers too, and it just felt good to do it together. People were curious and excited to try the food, and that made me feel proud and happy. We also had a display with photos of traditional games, tongue twisters, deep Filipino words, traditional clothes, and festivals from the Philippines. A lot of people came over to look and ask questions about our booth, which was really nice. We enjoyed explaining things and seeing others get interested in our culture. Overall, it just felt good to be able to share a part of who we are. It reminded me of how rich and fun our culture is, and it made me feel more connected to everyone around me!