Barstow’s second Cultural Enrichment Festival is on Sunday February 4th. This year there will be lots of food, music, games, and information to learn from over thirty countries and cultures represented at the festival. Based on last year’s attendance, over 400 people are expected to come out this year!
The Cultural Festival is an opportunity for Barstow community members to share their culture and represent the diversity of the individuals the school harbors.
“Last year, attending this event felt magical. It brought so much joy to my heart and tears to my eyes to see our students and families sharing about their culture. I think the benefit to our community is really just the ability this event has to raise a mirror up to the incredibly diverse, kind and special people who make up the Barstow school. I also think the power of learning from one another helps do away with ignorance and hate, and opens the path to understanding and peace,” says Mrs. Chanos, Barstow’s Director of Social and Emotional Counseling Services & ID+E Co-Director.
“I’m glad that we are able to connect with people who share the same cultures and learn more about each other while uplifting our community, and that we’re able to grasp new concepts within our history as a group,” says Taylor Easterwood ‘25.
Last year, over thirty countries and cultural groups were represented. “It was very successful,” says Mr. Muhammad, “We had a huge turnout. A lot of kids came as well, which was really great. It was a chance for everyone to see the diversity in the community, and the families participating appreciated the chance to come together and showcase that.”
“The BSU participated last year, and it looked really cool. We had a bunch of support, and a lot of African Americans around Kansas City are able to connect because of our group through the school districts. We were able to showcase this at the festival,” says Easterwood.
The Jewish Student Union was represented at the Cultural Festival last year, too. At their booth, Julia Leutje ‘25 “brought books about Jewish holidays, signs with Jewish facts, challah bread, and other Jewish objects like Shabbat candles, a menorah, a kiddish cup, and more,” to help educate visitors.
“We hosted a table just from Mexico. We had some food, decorations, and facts about the country. We brought some food, like Mexican candy with some typical appetizers from the country, like ‘conchas’. We had some decorations representing each state of Mexico,” recounts Isa Siller ‘25. The table structures will look similar this year, too.
Two of the highlights from the attendees’ perspective from last year’s festival were the food and the performances. “My favorite part of the Culture Fest last year was seeing all the cool booths and trying a bunch of new food,” says Luetje. However, a new year brings some changes learned from the experience. This year, Barstow is having cultural performances throughout the year instead of at the festival itself.
“Instead, there’s going to be a DJ playing music from around the world. This makes room for more tables and more participation at the booths themselves. We’re trying to encourage more connectivity, too, by having all the tables in the gym instead of the gym and the cafeteria. We also aren’t going to have the servery open with food this year. Everyone brought so much of their own last time, there ended up not really being a need for it. Just as much and more food is going to be there this year,” says Muhammad, so people should definitely come hungry.
Students who attend have activities to look forward to as well. “There is a passport that the lower school students can have stamped at each table, and the Middle and Upper School students can fill in by answering questions they learn at each table. If they fill out the passports, they will be given a raffle ticket to be entered for one of three super cool prizes,” explains Chanos.
This year, “more than twenty cultures and countries are going to be represented. Thirty-seven people are registered to have tables, and there are several student groups that are supporting different affinity groups as well,” says Muhammad.
“People should look forward to a fun way of learning about so many different cultures that are important to other students at Barstow,” says Leutje. “Everyone should look forward to the festival because of all the good food and community. My favorite part would definitely be seeing all different cultures connect!” Easterwood agrees.
“People are going to enjoy seeing lots of different representations and learning about the history and content available. There’s going to be music, and they should expect it to be packed with lots of people,” says Muhammad. “We do expect to have more student participation, especially now that everyone is going to be in the gym together. There’s more diversity in the cultures represented this year, and everyone is welcome to show up!”
“Everyone that has a chance should try to come out and support. It’s a pretty good way to get involved in the community, and everyone has been putting so much time and effort into making it work,” says Siller.
We look forward to seeing everyone this Sunday at 12 for the Cultural Enrichment Festival!
