Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Students representing 25 countries call The Storm King School home this year. Last week, they got to celebrate their diversity, share their culture, and get rid of the winter blues at the SKS International Festival – a day full of food and fun – all with an international theme. Thanks to the efforts of ESL Department Chair Cathy Hecht and the rest of the SKS faculty and staff, Friday, March 31 was a great success and a very special day for the entire school community.

STUDENTS MADE WORLD CUISINE

In the days before the event, students from different nations helped plan menus and prepare authentic dishes along with Executive Chef Andrew Comey. The festivities officially began at noon on Friday, with students serving the specialties they prepared for lunch. The food was in such demand, the line stretched all the way out the door onto Ledoux Terrace. There was something on the menu for everyone including handmade pierogies filled with potato and mushroom from Eastern Europe, chicken empanadas from Spain and Latin America, Char Siu barbeque pork from China, marinated beef shish kabobs from Turkey, American sliders and West African Jollof rice. The menu also featured flan, a European custard dessert and Basbousa, a semolina cake common in the Middle East.

CULTURE IN ORR COMMONS

Following lunch, the day continued with a variety of cultural activities that took place across the campus. Orr Commons was open throughout the afternoon, where students from China offered fragrant Chinese teas and samples of authentic desserts. Meanwhile, Mr. Carruthers and some of his art students were working on Mandala sand art. Mandala is a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism that represents the universe. Others decided to jam on guitar and handmade drums in the Smidt Room as part of the World Music Gathering. The Commons was also home to country posters and presentations made by students in Mrs. Centeno’s Spanish class.

INTERNATIONAL FUN & FASHION

Despite the rain, the festivities continued throughout the afternoon. Mr. Martha and Ms. Dilley helped students make Tibetan prayer flags, while others made dreamcatchers and learned about origami in Dyar Hall. On the other side of campus, the gymnasium was jumping with volleyball, badminton and ping pong. In the dance studio, Mrs. Jacobson was teaching round after round of Zumba. As the afternoon wound down, Ogden Hall became the destination of choice, where students relaxed as they played interesting board and card games from around the world.

After a break for dinner, the festivities continued well into the evening in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre with Mrs. Graziosi at the helm. The audience was treated to an international talent show featuring singers, musicians and groups from many nations who performed works in their native languages. The evening concluded with an international soccer jersey line-up and a fashion show where students showed off traditional costumes from countries including China, Japan, and Malaysia.

Many thanks go to Mrs. Hecht, Chef Andrew Comey, Mrs. Graziosi, the student volunteers, and the rest the SKS faculty and staff for making this year’s International Festival a great success.