LV Life

Cultural celebration seizes campus diversity

Mai Takahashi, Mika Yoshida and Mayumi Shimizu (left to right) perform a traditional Japanese dance on Tuesday at the International celebration. The event was put together by different ethnic groups and clubs from the University to facilitate learning about the various international cultures present at ULV. / photo by Ary Farajollahi
Mai Takahashi, Mika Yoshida and Mayumi Shimizu (left to right) perform a traditional Japanese dance on Tuesday at the International celebration. The event was put together by different ethnic groups and clubs from the University to facilitate learning about the various international cultures present at ULV. / photo by Ary Farajollahi

by Rosie Sinapi
Editor in Chief

A parade of nations occupied the University Mall as the Fifth Annual International Celebration occurred Tuesday. Consisting of booths, food and a multi-cultural talent show, it showcased the various cultural backgrounds of La Verne’s international students.

“We are looking at different and similar cultures and blending those together to go out and take it past this microcosm,” said President Stephen Morgan at the event.

Sponsored by International Student Services (ISS), the International Student Organization and Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum, the afternoon activity was host to a variety of cultural clubs on campus.

“The International Celebration is important because most of the students at La Verne don’t know how many international students we have from other cultures,” said International Celebration Chair Marcy Garcia, administrative as­sis­tant in the International Students Office.

“So many of the international students feel like they are visitors here,” she said. “The La Verne community gets knowledge about how many international students we have.”

Helping to add an international atmosphere was food prepared by ARA. According to Norm Venables, director of dining services, students offered him various international recipes which he turned into a lunchtime buffet.

Also serving lunch was Ujima. With a southern theme, Ujima sold tickets for the meal, to benefit its college fund.

Students not interested in eating could also take part in the booths set up by various groups.

International student Akiko Seyoua sponsored a booth featuring items from her native Ethiopia. It featured the national cultural dress of Ethiopia and other fashions, along with art pieces, all of which were for sale.

A contingency of Armenian students presented a variety of foods from Armenia and neighboring Balkan states.

Numbering in the twenties, the Armenian students are a large group of international students on campus. With money provided by ISS, booths like the Armenian’s offered free food samples to cultural experimenters.

“It’s great. They have a variety of Armenian foods and they’re not even charging,” said Dr. John Khanjian, former dean of the American-Armenian International College.

Le French Club president Tieu-My Nguyen was pleased with her club’s booth. In past years, they have made complex crepe dishes. This year, they chose meringue. Sold for 50 cents each with raspberry cider, Nguyen believes it was a choice well made.

“It is not so hard to make just a little dessert compared to crepes,” she said. “It made it easier for us because we also had a movie night. It’s two things in one.”

The Asian American Cultural Exchange also sold food. Offering a variety of Chinese plates and free fortune cookies, the AACE booth was one of the first fundraisers for the newly-revitalized club.

“We planned this event for several weeks,” said Soutsada Thammarangsy. “It was fun.”

Decked from head to toe in a Laos wedding dress, Thammarangsy was also part of the United Colors of the world talent show. Her club sponsored a fashion show with international flair. She was not the only bride to take part in the show—Kim Maruyama also modeled a Vietnamese wedding dress.

While the fashion show featured a variety of international clothes, several other acts were performed including a Mexican folklore dance by Danielle Garcia and Japanese fan dancers.

Rosie Sinapi
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Ary Farajollahi
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