VENTNOR – Walking into the Ventnor Educational Community Complex is like walking into the United Nations. The students, as American as apple pie on Thanksgiving, share a rich cultural heritage from all parts of the globe. On Tuesday, middle schoolers in grades 5-8 gathered in the gymnasium to share what they learned about countries around the world, much of which is part of their DNA.
More than 70 students participated in the Multicultural Fair, which required students to do research on countries around the world, and many chose to investigate the countries where their families originated. Some are immigrants, and others the children and grandchildren of immigrants. Some have traveled to their family’s country of origin. Parents and grandparents assisted by helping the children prepare a range of international foods, including tasty treats from far-away places.
“This allows them to do the research and share what is near and dear to their hearts,” Superintendent Carmela Somershoe said. “It gives them the opportunity to talk to their classmates and the community during the event.”
Fifth grader Shanaya Desai brought in her grandmother’s samosa recipe, a traditional dish from India, Shanaya said. Along with a storyboard of information about India, Shanaya displayed two cases of her grandmother’s bangle bracelets.
“In India the women wear bangles for weddings and other special events,” she said.
Sixth grader Jai’Lynn Gomez and fifth grader Aria Russo partnered on their investigation of the Philippines.
“My grandparents came from there,” Jai’Lynn said.
One of the dishes shared with participants was pancet canton, a Filipino noodle dish served alongside chunks of pineapple and dried mango.
“We will probably have the pineapple and dried mango on our Thanksgiving table,” Jai’Lynn said.
Two eighth grade students, Mia Colozzi and Nora Smith, learned more than they knew about the United States, including that climate range in parts of the country range from -80 degrees to 134 degrees. They enjoyed learning about Mount Rushmore and other National Monuments.
Evelyn Costello is half Irish and her partner Flora Supal is 25% Irish. They served up some Irish soda bread, and Evelyn displayed her grandmother’s beautifully knitted Irish wool sweater.
Vanessa Aguilar and Melina Divenuto learned more about their Mexican heritage. Venessa’s parents were born in Mexico, so she already knew much of the history of their country, she said.
“I learned some new recipes,” she said, as they served up tamales, stuffed with chicken and wrapped in corn husks before cooking.
The Eiffel Tower was prominent in Olivia Holm and Daria Zabihach’s display about France.
“We learned the climate includes four seasons,” Daria said.
Olivia was proud to serve up some brie, croissants and two different styles of quiche.
Daria’s sister Zorianna was at the next table with her partner serving up a Peruvian dish of potatoes smothered in huancaina sauce, made from milk, cheese, crackers and spices.
Board of Education President Douglas Biagi enjoyed a tasting.
“Delicious, the spice really sneaks up on you,” Biagi said.
Olivia Grant, who is in the fifth grade, investigated Egypt, which she visited last summer.
She displayed papyrus paper, a wooden hieroglyphics translator and a framed papyrus artwork that spelled out her brother Xan’s name.
“When I was there, I got to ride a camel, saw the sphinx and pyramids, visited King Tut’s tomb and where Jesus was born,” she said.
She served up baklava made with honey and pistachios.
Brian Strahle, a fifth grader, brought his grandmother Maria Prystupa to the event. A native of Ukraine, Prystupa did not speak English, so Brian offered translation about her delectable homemade borsch and pierogies, which teachers and visitors raved about.
Eighth grade Social Studies teacher Debbie Duff has been helping to organize the multicultural fair for about 10 years, she said.
The program is voluntary for students, and teachers provide them with extra credit for their participation. About half of the students enrolled in the middle school present their projects, while the other half lines up to visit the displays, she said. Parents are also invited to attend.
The Ventnor Educational Community Complex Middle School held its annual Multicultural Fair Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. More than 70 students participated in sharing their family's cultural heritage.Copyright Access Network 2024
