This past week, M-A’s Leadership welcomed their annual International Week with colorful flags and events highlighting the different cultures around campus. Each day presented different cultures to share with students and staff, celebrating with music, food, and art.
Junior Tula Basta said, “I’m enjoying getting to learn more about other cultures, and I’m looking forward to what the rest of the week presents to the student body, so we can all get involved.”
Monday: Black Culture Day
Monday celebrated Black culture. The Black Student Union (BSU) held a bake sale where they sold shortbread, sweet potato bread, and brownies. “The brownies sold out very quickly! I’m glad people liked them,” said senior and BSU co-president Epiphany Bass.
Old school R&B blasted through M-A’s speakers, playing songs like “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and “Ready or Not” by Lauren Hill. Junior Haniyah Knight, who managed the music, said, “I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”
“International Week celebrates unity and strength where people come together and share different cultures,” Bass added.
Tuesday: Asian Culture Day
Tuesday celebrated Asian cultures. A crowd of students rushed towards the Asian Culture Club’s booth that sold boba and popcorn chicken. The Chinese Culture Club sold popular Asian snacks like Hello Panda, a bite-sized biscuit filled with creamy chocolate.
A small group of talented students performed both traditional Chinese songs like “茉莉花 (Jasmine Flower)” and popular pop songs like “月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart)” with the piano, trumpet, and violin. Senior Wilona Chen, president of the Chinese Culture Club, said, “I chose songs that nearly every Chinese person knows as a symbol that we, Asians, exist on campus and to share our culture.”
Chen added, “I’ve participated in International Week ever since sophomore year, and each year I get to witness this really cool confluence of different cultures around campus”
Wednesday: All Cultures Day
Wednesday recognized all cultures. Colorful and informative posters shared interesting facts about countries all over the world. 
“We sold macarons, a crispy but soft cookie with sweet cream filling,” sophomore Connor Pfaff, a member of the French Culture Club said. “I love seeing all of the cultures of M-A and how much work everyone puts into showing their pride in their culture.”
“International Week is one of the reasons why I joined Leadership,” junior Claire Chang said. “M-A is such a diverse school, and we have so many opportunities to uplift everyone’s culture and uniqueness. I really enjoy getting to learn how people express themselves through food, music, and dance.”
Thursday: Latinx Culture Day
Thursday celebrated Latinx cultures. Baile Folklórico, a Latin American dance club, performed to a crowd of students.
“I’m representing the Baile Folklórico club by selling food that is a part of my culture,” sophomore Kaylin Macias said. “We’re selling loaded corn with mayonnaise and cheese with chili on the side.”
Junior Jaqueline Ortiz, one of the dancers in Baile Folklórico, said, “International Week is a way for everyone from all different cultures to show how we all express different art forms. I want to show everybody the beauty of dance in my culture.”
Friday: Pacific Islander Culture Day
Friday was the last day of International Week, and the community celebrated Pacific Islander culture.
The Pacific Islander Club performed dances full of energy to celebrate the last day of International Week. Senior Lusia Manisela, a dancer in the Pacific Islander Club said, “International Week is a really good experience for high-school students”
“I enjoyed getting to learn the dances and getting closer with people from my own culture,” Manisela added, “I feel like my culture is all about family, and that’s a big thing for me. Having this club also created a family for me.”
