Friday, January 17, 2025
Students and staff at Lawrence Woodmere Academy took to the stage to celebrate their similarities and differences at the annual Cultural Heritage Day event on Dec. 6.
More than 20 students and 10 staff members presented their heritage through dance, music and poetry.
The performances highlighted African, Bahaman, Chinese, French, Greek, Indian, Irish, Jamaican, Jewish, Russian, Vietnamese and West Indie values.
“It’s a beautiful day where our students and faculty showcase what makes them unique,” Alyssa Daidone, middle and upper school assistant principal at LWA said. “It really helps us showcase that we are at home with the world.”
Olga Pagieva, director of international student programs at LWA, organized the event.
“We are happy to have you here to celebrate LWA’s Cultural Heritage Day,” Pagieva said to the attendees, including parents and family members of the students.
Each performing student was international and lived in their respective countries. Emcee and performer, Terry Okodogbe, explained the meaning of cultural heritage to the audience.
“Through national holidays, festivals, cuisine and arts we connect with our roots celebrating diversity and uniqueness defined by cultural background,” Okodogbe said. “This heritage not only informs who we are today, but also inspires us to share and preserve these traditions for future generations.”
The event started with a band performance and a video presentation showcasing students and their cultures. Students spoke about family traditions and holiday customs.
Pagieva worked together with Nijun Wang, the school’s mandarin teacher, to put on the event. Wang assembled many students for the celebration and explained history of Mandopop music in China, during the show.
“I feel like I traveled the world today,” Hank Williams, head of school at LWA said. “Dr. P (Pagieva) really makes all of our students feel welcome and at home. This is really what it’s all about, learning and understanding everyone’s culture.”
For many of the students, it is their first time being away from home — showcasing their culture helped make them feel connected to their roots, Williams added.
This was the second annual Cultural Heritage Day, with increasing participants and more diverse culture represented this year.
Some students encouraged audience members to participate in their dances on stage and to learn something new.
“Even though we have faculty members and students coming from all over the United States, all over the world, we’re able to come together at Lawrence Woodmere Academy as one,” Daidone said. “LWA has had international students from many years and this assembly especially showcasing that we’re all different and unique.”
Lawrence Woodmere Academy at 336 Woodmere Blvd. in Woodmere, is a non-religious private school serving preschool through 12th grade students, in three divisions — lower, middle and upper schools.
To learn more about the school visit LawrenceWoodmere.org.
