Lake Park hosts talent show

If you're in the mood to expand your cultural awareness and feed your ethnic knowledge, visit Lake Park High School in Roselle.

The school's WONDER Diversity Club will present a talent show at 7 tonight at Lake Park West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Titled "Peaced Together," the show will feature dances, songs and presentations of Latino, Pakistani and Indian culture.

WONDER, which stands for Worldwide Optimism Needs Diversity, Equality and Respect, is a student club that strives to blur the boundaries between races and cultures. Many of the students will be dressed in traditional costumes or clothing from a particular country.

"We need to be more accepting of others," said Nancy Braus, a Spanish teacher who co-sponsors the club with fellow teacher Nadia Javadi.

Two years ago, the show celebrated Bulgarian and Greek heritage.

The club does not organize the talent show annually; it depends on how many students show interest. But its members are active all year long. They go on trips, see films and share a variety of ethnic foods.

"We want to broaden horizons for students that do not know anything about different cultures except their own," Braus said. "I think any exposure to what you have not been exposed to can help open your mind a little bit."

Proceeds from the show, which has a cast and crew of roughly 30 students, will benefit the Save Darfur Coalition, a nonprofit organization that has been trying to stop genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

If you go …

What: Diversity talent show

When: 7 tonight

Where: Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr., Roselle

Cost: $2

Info: (630) 295-5401