International Club hosts annual Cultural Night

Last Saturday night, the International Club, in conjunction with the Student Association, hosted Union College’s Cultural Night. Whether it was in the food served or the performances that followed, Cultural Night gave many students a chance to showcase their diverse cultural backgrounds.

Various cultures were represented in the food, such as Mexico, Indonesia and Uganda. After food was served, the performances began. Cherryl Figueroa showcased Hispanic heritage, Daniella Hernandez represented the historically and culturally rich nation of Mexico, Charles Metz represented the cultural melting pot that is the United States, Deratu Olana represented the diverse and fascinating African nation of Ethiopia and Lily Papalii and her family represented the island nation of Samoa. In the end, it was the Papalii family that the judges named the winner. Union College chaplain David Kabanje and business professor Doctor Carlton Robinson mc'd the event, providing dynamic interludes and participatory activities for the audience.

Library Circulation Manager and Reference Assistant Marcia Nordmeyer expressed her excitement about the event. “It was an honor to be a judge for Culture Night! I spend so much time in the library asking people to be quiet, so it's refreshing to get loud and rowdy with everybody once in a while. I am so proud of all of the contestants and event organizers who worked together to make such a memorable evening for us all. It would be so wrong to not mention the amazing food! I hope everybody got to try something new.”

The International Club President Abigail Condado lauded the success of the event and to her, it was much more than just an event. “Cultural Night is more to me than going on the stage and showing off your culture, it is a night that brings a sense of community. It was so heartwarming to see and hear how people were so excited after the event to see themselves and others represented through food and performances. Cultural Night was a beautiful success. It was so because of everyone involved: my team, SA, the judges and MCs and of course, the participants. I couldn't have done this without any of them! It is so beautiful when people choose to share something so intimate as where they come from.”

By Evan Majors