VENTNOR - The United Nations has nothing on the students at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex. On Tuesday, just before the pumpkin and apple pies were being put into the oven, students enlisted the help of their parents to prepare some tasty dishes from the old country. The old country could be anywhere in the world, but most likely the country of their heritage.
Seventy-eight middle schoolers in grades 5-8 participated in this year’s Multicultural Fair, which gives the students the opportunity to do a deep dive into the country of their ancestors or just a country that intrigues them.
Organized each year by Social Studies teacher Debbie Duff and eighth grade Language Arts teacher Lori Henry, the fair – much like a science fair, only better – students were given extra credit to go on a discovery of the rich cultural heritage of the inhabitants of Ventnor. Students there and their parents and grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from all over the world, including Pakistan, Greece, Ireland, and numerous Eastern European countries.
Bella Rugghia, whose has two great-grands who hail from Sicily, was busy filling little cups with pasta and sauce. That’s what they call the tomatoey concoction most Italian-Americans enjoy for Sunday supper. Although in Bella’s house, it’s gravy.
She knows the difference, she said.
“Gravy is made with a meat base, while sauce is meatless,” she said.
While investigating Italy, she was surprised to learn that the weather there is similar to that of the northeast part of the U.S.
“I thought it was going to be more like Florida,” she said.
Layla Blazie and Jai’Lynn Gomez both have Polish heritage. They brought potato and cheddar cheese pierogies and two types of kielbasa to the fair – one was made with beef and pork, while the other was made with turkey.
“I learned a lot about their national art,” Layla, a seventh grader said.
Next door to Poland was another display about Italy.
Violet Turpo and Reagan Cannon, both fifth graders, made an antipasto of tomatoes and mozzarella with a balsamic glaze, meatballs, and twice-baked biscotti for a dessert.
“We’re both half Italian,” Violet said. “My mom is from Italy, and she came here when she was 16. She told me all about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Italian flag.”
The tri-colored flag – green for hope, white for faith, and red for charity – was adopted in 1947 after WWII and symbolizes national unity.
Partners Maeve Bergman and Devon McCarron are both Irish, so naturally, they chose to learn about Ireland.
“A lot of my family members go there,” Devon said. “Maybe I’ll go with them next time.”
They made Irish shortbread cookies to share with their classmates and their parents.
Brian Strahl, a sixth grader, chose to learn about Japan because he likes sushi, he said.
He brought a large tray of sushi rolls cut into bite size pieces and encouraged those who came for a tasting to dip it in the bowl of soy sauce on the side.
He also purchased a kimono online to show the customary garb of the island country, which, he said, has a parliamentary government that has separate powers, much like the U.S.
Noa Zaken and Chase Chairman shared what they know and learned about Israel.
“I was born in Israel, and my parents have visited there three or four times,” Noa said.
She said she was surprised to learn that Israel is about the size of New Jersey and has a population of 10 million people.
They were anxious to share hummus and pita and a noodle kugel – a mainstay at Jewish festivals known to bring spiritual blessings, especially if served when a rabbi is present.
Although not all of the students presented during the event, the others lined up to visit the displays, see cultural artifacts and costumes, and enjoy some international culinary delights.
Enjoy some more photos from the event.
Ventnor Middle School held its annual Multicultural Fair Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
Copyright Fideri News Network 2025
