Held on March 13 in the football field, Windermere Preparatory School’s inaugural Multicultural Festival marked a major milestone in the school’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity. The campus came alive with vibrant colors, music, and aromas as students, teachers, and staff came together to celebrate the rich diversity of the school community.

Student-led clubs hosted cultural booths representing a wide array of traditions, primarily through food, games, and performances. A live stage featured dances from different parts of the world, including Bollywood, Korean dance, and Flamenco, while booths offered hands-on experiences and tastes from around the globe.

Almost all cultures represented at Windermere Prep were celebrated. The Asian Culture Club invited students to write the Chinese character 福 (meaning “good fortune”) and hosted a chopstick-and-marble game. The Black Student Union served flavorful jerk chicken and mac and cheese, sharing soul food with the school community. The French Honor Society offered freshly made crêpes and introduced students to pétanque, a traditional French lawn game. Other booths featured everything from Brazilian sweets to Mexican snacks, turning the festival into a vibrant showcase of global traditions.

The festival also extended beyond widely known cultures to include lesser-represented traditions. For instance, the Latin Club highlighted ancient Roman culture. “We’re featuring historical figures like Julius Caesar and Spartacus,” said Mr. Billig, the club’s sponsor, and he also made “candied dates that they sold at the coliseum” for students to taste, “these are dates stuffed with walnuts and pine nuts, salt and pepper, and rolled in honey.” 

By spotlighting both popular and lesser-known cultures, the festival encouraged students to appreciate the full spectrum of backgrounds that make up their community. It was a joyful, meaningful step toward building a more inclusive and culturally aware school environment.