Community Celebrates Diversity at International Festival

Over 850 students, staff, parents, local businesses and entertainers collaborated with the PTA at the Annual International Festival on Friday, March 25 at Liberty Elementary school in South Riding. 

First on the agenda, students got their passports stamped at information booths as they “traveled around the world” throughout the school hallways. Au Pair In America, a global nanny agency, worked with parents to create and host booths representing a multitude of countries. Liberty students worked together during art classes prior to the festival to create educational displays. 

Next up was the international cuisine. There was standing room only in the cafeteria where a sumptuous buffet offered tastings from around the globe.

After traveling and dining around the world, guests were entertained in the gymnasium with an international fashion show, song, dance, drums and martial arts!

Liberty Elementary Principal Dr. Angela Gwynne-Atwater said, “Each year, I am amazed at the number of students and families who support this important and entertaining event. This year, for the first time, we had an Ethnic Costume Parade."

"The children came dressed in their beautiful outfits that represented their country of origin. What a beautiful mosaic of colors! Each year, I have been honored to wear a dress that represents one of the many cultures that symbolize our school," said Gwynne-Atwater. "The first year of our festival, I wore a robe given to me by a family from Yemen. Last year, I was honored to wear an elegant Sari from India and this year, I wore an exquisite Korean Hanbok! I am searching for a costume for next year, so please send me your recommendations!”

Sponsors included Ductz Indoor Air Professionals, Party City, The Au Pair Association of America, and Rangoli, Wong Kok, and Kirin restaurants. Students from nearby Freedom High School were on hand to volunteer along with parents and other community members. Liberty parent Memi Nagaraj was the mastermind behind this spectacular event.

Memi has been the PTA chair person for Liberty’s International Festival for the past three years and plans to continue the job in the future - even offering to organize a similar event for Lunsford Middle School, which opens in the fall of 2011. Her creativity and commitment to celebrating diversity in the community is priceless.

Pride in country and family was on the face of all the students in attendance as community diversity was celebrated. Liberty Elementary PTA President Lesli McGrath sums up the event, “I think it is interesting that we had participants from so many cultures: India, Korea, Japan, South America, Central America, US and Europe. In just 3 years, the Liberty PTA's International Festival has evolved into a highly popular and multi-faceted event. The festival is a wonderful gift that we all share.”