Students performing at the Multicultural and Tolerance Fair in the Columbia High School gymnasium on Tuesday, April 4.
Students, staff and families celebrated the many rich and diverse cultures of the East Greenbush Central School District community at the Multicultural and Tolerance Fair on Tuesday evening at Columbia High School.
The gym was lined with booths from Irish to Indian, Puerto Rican to Polish and Cameroonian to Chinese, with students proud to show off their heritage, food, dress and music.
Crowds stopped at the booths to learn more and enjoyed musical and artistic performances throughout the evening. There were also special exhibits including “Hello from Around the World,” “Science Around the World,” “The Elephant in the Room,” and Henna Tattoos.
“I was excited to have the Multicultural and Tolerance Fair return in person for the first time since 2019,” said Social Studies Department Chair Wendy McAlonie. “Learning about each other’s culture allows students to understand each other’s perspectives. In today’s increasingly polarized climate, events that unite students in a positive way have become increasingly important. It helps bring us closer as a school and community in an enjoyable way. Prioritizing an event like this gives students the message of tolerance and acceptance and inspires them to engage.”
Special thanks to Social Studies Teacher Wendy McAlonie and the Social Studies Department, Rho Kappa, the Columbia Maintenance Staff, Zoe Allen, Columbia and East Greenbush CSD Administrators and musicians – Columbia Band Teacher Scott Halliday, Goff Music Teacher Jarod Grieco, Neea Gizzo, Teddy Howard, Raychelle Adadjo and Shea Thorpe!
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