Embracing Diversity: South’s Pacific Club at “Future Freshman Night.” Photo taken by Noelle Miller
Last week, South Salem High School’s cultural clubs brought fun and fusion during both A and B lunches for multicultural week giving students the chance to learn and experience more about different cultures.
Origins of Multicultural Week
Multiculturalism was brought to life during distance learning in 2021 by South alumni Rachelle Zavalza-Arellano. What is now a South-only event was once an event that was in collaboration with North Salem High School’s Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán, (MEChA). This event has since then brought students the privilege of getting to know more about different cultures and ethnicities.
This year’s multicultural week was directed by senior Patrick Hirsig-Gutierrez, president of the Latino Club. This will be his second year organizing the event.
It’s important to embrace diversity in a community, as well as the cultural aspects that make up the people we know and love!
Hirsig-Gutierrez said.
German Club and the French Honors Society
On Monday, the 11, the German club and the French Honors Society kicked multicultural week off with their booth in the upper commons where they played both German and French music and played cultural trivia. The German Club meets every Friday at 3:30 P.M. in room 183, and usually talks about German culture and German history, makes and learns about cultural food and often plays Pictionary. The French Honors Society meets during Flex Tuesday in room 277, the club has one event per month and does many holiday themed club events such as holiday movie night, French Valentine’s day vocab, Halloween père lachaise cemetery research and play pètanque.
I think multicultural week is a great way to explore different cultures within our school and learn about them in a fun way, especially because it’s student-run,
German Club secretary, Rose Langen-Swartzendruber said.
The Indigenous Party
On Tuesday, the 12, the Indigenous Party continued with the event by offering students to participate in trivia that included prizes. They also showed numerous beaded art pieces. The Indigenous Party meets every Thursday at 3:30 P.M. in room 233.
“Multicultural week is very important as it gives students a sense of belonging or even people of different ethnicities a chance to learn about others,” president of the Indigenous Party, Jessi Soliz said.
Latino Club
Wednesday, the 13, the Latino Club showed representation and pride by playing upbeat reggaeton, offering hair braiding, trivia with prizes and dancing in traditional folklorico skirts. The Latino Club meets every Tuesday in the North library at 3:30 PM and when they’re not planning upcoming events or helping the community, they normally participate in activities or socialize with each other as a club.
Asian Club and the Black Student Union
Thursday, the 14, the Asian Club and Black Student Union (BSU) showed creativity by allowing students to learn their names in an Asian language. Flag trivia and cultural music were played at their booth as well. However, BSU continued with the celebration of diversity and played R&B and Soul music and offered students to participate in trivia that included prizes. Asian Club meets every other Tuesday at 3:30 in room 18 and welcomes anybody who is wanting to learn about Asian culture. The BSU meets every Monday in the Calm room at 3:30 and creates a safe environment where students can discuss topics of race, social justice and perspectives of multicultural importance.
Pacific Saxons and the BIPOC Book Club
Friday, the 15, Pacific Saxons and the BlPOC Book Club shared a booth. Just as the rest of the week, the Pacific Saxons played cultural music and offered trivia to those interested. Even passing out JELL-O like candies. BIPOC Book Club contributed to the event by offering word searches and stickers for students to take. Pacific Saxons meet multiple times a week and often organize events, play games, sing or even dance. BIPOC Book Club meets about 3 times a month and dates can be found on their Instagram, (@bipoc_bookclub_). The club reads many different books but their ultimate goal is to create a community through literature.
Closing it Off
Multicultural week ended with a potluck in the lower commons where all clubs participated in making a variety of traditional dishes to share openly for all students who wanted to try.
