Sacred Heart Culture Fair Highlights Cultural Diversity

Sacred Heart School in Warsaw, Ind. recently hosted its second annual culture fair, a new tradition under the leadership of James Faroh, Sr., Principal. Attendance of over 500 students, faculty, parents and community members; interaction among attendees and participants and steady food court activity marked this a successful event, featuring 13 cultures.

The event provides a chance for students to share about their native cultures; to learn about other cultures and to share their knowledge. It’s about valuing cultural diversity. This aligns with the OrthoWorx Diversity Council, which seeks to promote diversity and inclusiveness within the community. Faroh invited council members to contribute in this year’s event. “We definitely appreciate the partnership, the help, and the attendance from our partners at OrthoWorx at this year’s Sacred Heart School Culture Fair. It was great to extend beyond the Sacred Heart School community to share with others.”

Upon entering the event at the school, students received a passport. The passport was stamped as students toured different cultures/themed classrooms throughout the school.  Students transformed each classroom into a showcase for their chosen country. This included displaying cultural items, offering food samples, playing music, displaying art and providing demonstrations pertaining to that country. Also, attendees could purchase additional samples of food in the food court.

Diversity Council Members contributed to the event in a number of ways.

– Ceaneh Alexis and her family helped in the Haiti room, sharing artifacts and translating for students during a Skype ™ call with a Haitian sister parish.

– Weidong Tong volunteered in the China room, taught students to sing It’s a Small World in Mandarin Chinese and led a performance of the song during the closing ceremony.

– Gennie Brissette-Tipton, Communications Specialist, OrthoWorx, and her family assisted the Italian classroom by making fresh pasta and pizzelles (an Italian Christmas cookie).

– Robin Rasor supported parents and teachers by serving in the cultural food court.

– Tammy Allen, Manager, Communications & Projects, OrthoWorx, issued passports to students at the entrance and also assisted in the Greece room.

Allen credits Sacred Heart on such a successful event. “I was impressed with the level of engagement of those working in each classroom—decorations, activities, educating visitors to their cultures. The students were well informed, proud of the work and enthusiastically shared about their classroom’s featured culture. Also, Mr. Faroh was an active presence at the event interacting with everyone. You can tell he truly values cultural diversity and seeing it in action through this event.”

Students and teachers shared that they are already looking forward to next year’s event, set for Friday, April 26, 2013. Faroh stated he hopes that one day the Culture Fair will incorporate more area schools, organizations and community members.