Wheeling High School to celebrate its many cultures

Wheeling High School will celebrate its rich ethnic diversity with the 20th anniversary of Display of Cultures on Friday, May 23. This all-day event will provide parents and community members an opportunity to witness the rich diversity in the school.

Students, staff, and residents will be treated to free informational exhibits and a student program complete with a fashion show, music, and dance from various cultures that Wheeling students originate. Approximately 31 cultures will be represented this year, including African-American, American, Argentine, Belarusian, Brazilian, Bulgarian, Canadian, Chilean, Chinese, Colombian, English, French, Honduran, Indian, Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, Luxembourg, Mexican, New Zealand, Peruvian, Filipino, Polish, Puerto Rican, Russian, Saudi Arabian, South Korean, Spanish, Trinidad, Ukrainian, and Venezuelan.

The cost to see the show is $5 for adults, which goes toward scholarships that S.HA.D.E.S presents to three deserving seniors who have participated in its multicultural club.

Sponsors Bertha Sanchez and Joanne Amador Zapata coordinated the displays, fashion show and dances and expect an entertaining and enlightening event in which students can gain respect for each other's heritage and display their own cultures with pride. The hope is that as students become more knowledgeable about other cultures, it will help them appreciate each other more.

"We hope to express to our community a greater understanding of and commitment to helping humanity recognize and relish its oneness," stated Sanchez and Zapata. "We hope to assure those attending an ultimate triumph of racial unity."