Grace Burke and Kate Gilhool
Reporters
On Thursday, May 26, International Night was hosted in the cafeteria, where attending students, faculty members and parents enjoyed dishes from different cultures and watched student performances. Select students were also recognized with awards from their language teachers for outstanding achievements in class, and those who brought in dishes earned extra credit.
Throughout the evening several students highlighted world cultures in their performances. Senior Lexi Bodick and sophomore Gabby Balzano each recited two songs, sophomores Dylan Curtin and Amanda Garay performed a flamingo dance and senior Anna Dearth and sophomore Julia Hardy wowed the audience with their Irish step dancing. Julia, who signed up to perform, was excited to share her hobby with her peers. “I loved performing because not many people have seen Irish dancing, or at least from other students, so I got to perform what I love to do and show off a little,” Julia said.
According to French teacher Jennifer Vos, these performances truly helped to make the night spectacular. “Because of the performances, the quality of the evening was enhanced which gave it a real international feel,” she said.
A wide variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts were offered throughout the two-hour event. The highly popular chips and salsa, as well as the sushi, were a hit with the attendees. Entrees were from all over the globe, ranging from Italian pastas to Mexican quesadillas. Some sought-after desserts were the classic American apple crisp and the German chocolate. Although freshman Lizzy Burke’s said her Irish soda bread wasn’t well-received, she enjoyed cooking it. “Nobody even touched it, but I had a fun time making it with my family anyway,” she said.
Sophomore Amanda Frattaroli, who brought in food to earn five-points extra credit in her language class, raved about the food she and her peers made. “Everybody’s food was delicious,” Amanda said. “I made cannolis, and they went like wildfire!”
International Night had its largest student turnout and contributed dishes since it was first hosted seven years ago and sophomore Harrison Besser plans to come back next year, expecting an even greater turnout. “I wasn’t expecting many people to attend because it was on a school night and many had activities and homework, but I was shocked by the number of people that came,” he said. “I had such a great time this year that I will definitely come back next year, which I am sure will be even bigger and better.”
Video by McCabe Hemmers
