Fifth Street School celebrates cultural diversity at first Multicultural Night

a multicultural group singing — The night was kicked off with a large group of 5th Street students singing "En Nuestra Tierra tan Linda" (On our beautiful planet Earth) in spanish.

Through the efforts of teachers, administrators, volunteers, and students the Fifth Street Elementary School held its first Multicultural Night on Tuesday, Mar. 20.

girls making flags — From right: Keregyn Masterson (11), Laurel Hubster (11), and Olivia Smith (10) from Tenth Street School were on hand to have fun, try some food, and make some flags.

The event was designed to allow students and families to experience foods from different cultures, but essentially the event used the food and other activities to point out that despite the borders and distance between these cultures they share some of the same likes and pastimes.

Students and families were given a passport and received stickers and tickets when they attended the various events and tried different foods. The stickers filled the passports and the tickets went into a drawing for prizes held at the end of the evening. The events available included demonstrations of international sports, international flags, international currency, and of course international food.

students with languages — German Exchange students Tim Ehrhords and Laura Knobel, from outside Pfaffenwieler, Germany, assisted with German phrases, while Alex Schmitt (right) taught attendees Spanish. JHS Student Miranda Buffington also assisted with German.

Principle Leah Jesse and Title I Coordinator Lynne Bohnert came up with the idea in January and since then have been working feverishly to coordinate the event. “A lot of people have volunteered to make this possible,” Bohnert said. “Local businesses have donated foods and materials, students from Jasper High School are volunteering their time tonight, and even families of our students have provided dishes from their countries for people to try.”

Bohnert stated its been a whirlwind effort to put together and at times she was overwhelmed by the project, but considers the event a great success. “We have 109 students and 89 parents that confirmed reservations for tonight.”

The cultural diversity of the school system is increasing. Bohnert stated that over 30% of the students are considered English as a Second Language (ESL) students; their primary language is not English. These students are Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, and Hispanic.

Bohnert explained the event was designed to have fun and show that although there are many cultures represented, those cultures also share many of the same features. “You know you can go to a McDonalds in any of these countries,” she said. “Also if you go to these countries they are reading the same stories, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ and ‘Good Night Moon’.”

marian esponina and — Marina Esponina explains to Logan McCullough what pan de elote (sweet corn bread) is at the international food line.

Marina Esponina works at Fifth Street School as an interpreter and special aid for ESL students. Marina is from Guadalajara, Mexico and brought a rice pudding rendition from her region. She has worked at the school for four years. “I think this is an excellent event,” she said, “I would like to have more events like this. The food, I think, is the perfect way to start.”

In a true representation of the ability of food to cross the cultural divide, one visitor grabbed a German bratwurst, moved down the line and scooped a spoonful of a jalepeno, onion, tomato relish from Guadalahara, Mexico and spread it across the brat before happily munching.

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