JASON SETNYK
Students and staff at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS) celebrated the many cultures represented within their school community during the annual Multicultural Day.
The event featured a Parade of Nations, cultural displays, traditional foods, performances, art exhibits, games, and interactive activities showcasing nearly 30 cultures from around the world. Organized with support from Raiders International, the celebration encouraged students to learn from one another while highlighting the diversity that makes up the CCVS community.
“The whole goal for today is for students to get to learn with and from one another,” said Sheila MacIntyre, Student Success Teacher at CCVS and advisor for Raiders International. “It’s about inclusivity, but it’s also about celebrating what makes us similar, but also different and having a welcoming spirit.”
MacIntyre said the event has roots dating back to the early 2000s, although it paused during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning in recent years. She noted that almost 30 different cultures were represented through displays created by international students, newcomers, and Canadian-born students with family roots around the world.
“We have such a diverse community here at CCVS that we feel that it’s important for us to get to know one another and understand different perspectives,” she said.
Students explored cultural booths featuring information, artifacts, clothing, and food from a wide variety of countries and regions. Activities included henna tattoos, lacrosse demonstrations, student artwork, and cultural exhibits. Members of the Akwesasne community were also on hand creating a community wampum belt and basket with students.
Among the participants was Razan, a student representing Pakistan who has taken part in the celebration throughout his high school years. “Hospitality is a big part of our culture,” he said. “Being able to express that to others and tell them about it, and show it to them is something that I really like to do.”
The Pakistan display featured traditional foods including gulab jamun, kheer, biryani, and other dishes. Razan said one of his favourite aspects of the event is learning about different cultures. “I like being able to learn about countries and see the people from them, the way they dress, their culture, their food, reading their boards, et cetera,” he added.
Having previously lived in Toronto, Razan said he was pleasantly surprised by the diversity found within Cornwall. “Coming here and still seeing so much diversity is something that surprised me,” he stated. “Multiple people have said to me they didn’t realize there were so many different cultures here.”
The celebration also welcomed students who had recently participated in a scholarship trip to China through the Upper Canada District School Board’s Upper Canada Leadership Centre, allowing them to share their experiences and learning with attendees.
CCVS described the multicultural celebration as “an incredible event for the senses” and thanked the students, staff, and volunteers who helped make the day a success.
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