Liberty Middle School hosted its second annual Cultural Expo on Wednesday, April 9. Students, faculty and guests all agreed the event was a resounding success. The Expo featured multicultural song and dance performances including Irish Jigs, a Chinese Dragon Parade, a Bollywood dance, a Filipino Dance, songs performed in Spanish, French and Italian, and a rendition of a South African song sung in Xhosa.
The Expo also featured magnificent displays, a culmination of months of work, by Liberty’s student body and staff representing over 40 different countries. Each exhibit included unique information highlighting that countries particular culture and an assortment of enlightening craft projects such as Carnival and Mardi Gras masks, African Rain Sticks, Chinese dragon crafts, safety pin flags, Native American Dream Catchers, a replica of the Wailing Wall, Henna, a variety of multi-cultural tattoos and more. A photo booth where guests could have their picture taken against backdrops like the Pyramids of Egypt or the Eiffel Tower was also a big hit. Students were dressed in traditional garb welcoming guests to experience “life” at their particular station. Principal Robert Klemt along with fellow staff member Bob Desch wore traditional German Lederhosen and Student Council Secretary Krystal Jamison looked beaming as Lady Liberty.
Cooking lessons were offered to guests featuring Bruschetta al Pomodoro e Basilico made by Italian teacher Sonia Sulis, Fried Plantains made by assistant principal Aixa Garcia’s mother, Rosa Garcia, and Pianonos made by Spanish teacher, Zoe Benedict. Parent Carol Fastiggi kept visitors to the aerobics room moving all night with her non-stop Zumba lesson while Master Cho and his students from Master Cho’s Talium amazed everyone with their skills in Taekwondo.
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A multicultural Dinner featuring an Italian, French, Chinese and Spanish buffet was served by Sodexo and everyone complimented the exquisite display and delicious food. Students and staff treated guests to a home-made Viennese table featuring 32 traditional desserts from all over the world such as Mexican Biscochos, Cuban Torticas de Moron, Italian Zeppoles, South African Koeksisters and even Toll House Cookies invented at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts.
Staff members Sue Zaccaro and Vince DeJesus coordinated the event that was presented by over 150 students, staff and administrators. Student Council President Tyler Eatman best summed up the evening when he said, “I never knew that Celebrating Diversity could be so much fun.”
