Irvington High School Hosts 3rd Annual Multicultural Celebration!

On October 26, 2024, the Department of Multilingual Learners & World Languages proudly held its 3rd Annual Multicultural Celebration at Irvington High School from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This vibrant event brought together families, community members, students, and staff to celebrate the rich diversity and cultures within our community.

A Morning Full of Performances and Activities

The program, emceed by Dr. Keith Perkins, included welcoming remarks from Dr. Pedro Ruiz, Director of the Department of Multilingual Learners and World Languages, and Dr. April Vauss, Superintendent of Schools. Special thanks to our distinguished guest, Mr. DuBois, for sharing insights as a dedicated community advocate.

Our talented students showcased various cultural performances, including a spirited dance from Irvington High School, a fashion show by University Middle School, and musical performances by drummer Robert Levin. The celebration continued with traditional and contemporary dances from both Irvington High School and the Haiti-Edu-Action Youth Group.

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Community Engagement

Alongside performances, attendees visited tables from local vendors and organizations, including Essex County College, the Irvington Public Library, and Partnership for Children of Essex. Guests who visited every vendor booth had the opportunity to enter a raffle with prizes to celebrate community involvement.

Community and Cultural Partners

A special thanks to our wonderful vendors who enriched the celebration with their resources, services, and activities! The celebration extended beyond performances, as attendees had the chance to explore tables from local vendors and organizations, fostering community engagement and resource sharing. Visitors who explored every vendor booth were entered into a raffle, enhancing the spirit of community involvement. Thank you to all our community partners for their invaluable contributions:

  1. Essex County College and Irvington Public Library: Provided educational resources and information.
  2. Partnership for Children of Essex: Offered family support services.
  3. HACA, HCASN, and Irvington Education Association: Connected families to essential community resources.
  4. Lanbi, Mango Learning, and Varsity Tutors: Offered learning tools for students of all ages.
  5. Primerica, Irvington Neighborhood Improvement, IPS: Office of Early Childhood, Community and Family Advocacy and Project Kind were also in attendance providing valuable community resources.

Closing Remarks

The event concluded with words from Dr. Kenslio Ojentis, our Department Supervisor, who expressed gratitude for the commitment and energy of all participants, volunteers, and community partners.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration a success, and to all those who joined us in honoring the beautiful diversity that strengthens our school community. We look forward to continuing this tradition of unity and cultural appreciation in the years to come!