Half Hollow Hills Hosts 18th Annual Unity Fair

The Half Hollow Hills community came together on Sunday, March 4, at West Hollow Middle School for the annual Unity Fair put on by the PTA Council’s Diversity Committee. Students and families in attendance embraced and celebrated the rich culture of their community through music, arts and crafts, storytelling, games, shows and international delicacies.

“The event was a huge success, bringing together so many members of our community to enjoy the diverse music, performances and food,” said Claudia Negron, Co-Chair of the district’s PTA Council Diversity Committee.

Attendees were able to sample many different types of food from around the globe at the international food court while listening to the cool sounds of steel drums. The cuisine included delicious meals from Guyana, India, Greece, France and Italy. The school was adorned with masks, balloons and decorations, making it feel like an international destination right here on Long Island.

“We were even joined by authors Omar Khawaja and Saadiq Wicks for private readings of their books,” added Gilit Stein, also Co-Chair of the district’s PTA Council Diversity Committee.

There were performances by Irish step dancers, a Bollywood dance troop from Sunquam Elementary School, Chinese Lion Dancers, and a Japanese kendo sword demonstration and instruction. Tony ‘Moon Hawk’ Langhorn of the Paumanauke Pow-Wow brought Native American regalia, song and dance demonstrations, and arts and crafts to the event.

“We are so proud to have hosted our 18th annual Unity Fair event in Half Hollow Hills,” said Nina Cunningham, president of the district’s PTA Council. “Our hope is that the event helped deliver on its theme of unmasking diversity, by sharing the many unique pieces that make up our community.”

”Our district believes in providing meaningful opportunities for our truly diverse community, while achieving the highest-level outcomes,” added Dr. Patrick Harrigan, superintendent of schools in Half Hollow Hills. “This annual event crystallizes those beliefs and I would like to thank all of the parents, students, faculty and community members who make it happen.”

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of more than 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The District is committed to providing students opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.