Mt. Lebanon hosts first Around The World Night
Jules Verne needed 80 days to travel around the world in 1872. At Mt. Lebanon, however, only two hours and 30 minutes were required.
During Around The World Night held recently at Mt. Lebanon High School, the Global Studies Program in conjunction with the Cultures Club took visitors on a high-speed journey to a variety of nations represented by the student population. Guests learned about these native lands and their cultures through food samples, educational booths and entertainment, featuring music and traditional dance.
“This is fantastic,” said Volker Schmid. Of German descent, Schmid had two daughters, Anika and Anisha, who participated in the event.
“There were great performances. I was impressed with how incredibly talented the students are, and I was surprised by all the different nationalities here.”
Schmid added that it was “great” to learn about the countries as well as sample all the treats offered by the various cultures.
For a first-time event, Julia Antunes agreed the evening was a success. A junior, Antunes helped organize the function.
“For an inaugural year, obviously there is a learning curve, but I think it went really, really well. People seemed very excited. I learned a lot and a lot of other people did too.”
Antunes said the organizers achieved their objectives.
“Essentially this was meant to be an event that connects people of multiple cultures and backgrounds for a lively night of music, diversity, and inclusion.”
Antunes is an example of Lebo’s diversity and inclusion. Her parents immigrated to America in the 2000s. Her mother is from Argentina and her father is from Brazil, but she was born in America.
“I really consider myself Argentinian, Brazilian and American,” she said. “So I think this was a really great way to bring people of different backgrounds together and promote and celebrate the diversity within Mount Lebanon.”
According to Julianne Slogick, who is a social studies teacher at Mt. Lebanon High School, Antunes and Peter Goslin are two of her certificate students in the Global Studies Program. Along with other members of the Global Cultures Club, Antune and Goslin wanted to bring other students in the building and the wider community together to celebrate the international community represented in the school district.
“This was such an exciting evening for us,” Slogick said. “Number one, it was our first time and number two, the students involved in this have been able to test their leadership and communication skills. They’re learning how to plan and organize large projects and they have gotten to see the results of all these community members coming here and getting together.”
Among some of the countries and nationalities represented included Turkey, China, Nigeria, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Mexico, Sweden and Iran.
“Mt. Lebanon has a tremendous international community, and the parents are really active and interested in learning about one another,” Slogick said.
When guests arrived, they immediately picked up their passports. The paper pamphlets were stamped after each country was visited. In addition the crowd was treated to Brazilian sounds by the Mt. Lebanon percussion ensemble as well as the Nandanik Dance Troupe performing classical Indian dances. Anika Schmid performed a South Indian dance and elementary school students also entertained with traditional steps.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Ernest Strinden said of the evening because his daughter is in ninth grade, “but I think it’s great. We wanted to come and see the performances and try some of the food and it all was wonderful.”