Over 400 students, parents and community members celebrated with the West Potomac international community at the annual International Night held on March 17. This year’s event was noted for its increase of student-led events and a highly engaged crowd.
Throughout the evening, students and families stood on the far perimeters of the West Potomac cafeteria to watch the 10 student-created performances. This year’s events included the Adolescentes Dance Group, which consisted of 12 Hispanic students. This group practiced as a team for weeks to perfect their salsa dance moves. The crowd delighted at the end of their dance when several of the female partners dropped and flipped back up elegantly with the help of their dance partners.
Spanish teacher Milagros Brown helped prepare a Peruvian Festejo dance with African influences. Students Susan Guerra, Melissa Alarcon and Rosa Pajuelo stunned the crowd with their artful moves, and their faces delighted at the end of the performance as they hugged each other after leaving the performance area.
“This was an enormous success. The students looked wonderful in their native clothing. We are all proud to have such talented students at our school,” said Nancy Indelicato, ESOL Department Chair.
Other performances included an intricate Henna Ceremony used on the first night of Pakistani wedding celebrations, complete with gorgeous silk and beaded costumes, a regional Mexican cowgirl styled dance, a fashion show, the singing of an Arabic pop song, and a traditional Vietnamese guitar song.
The crowd expressed delight when student Masters of Ceremony Ivana Vukolic and Emmanuel Gamor offered a few “shout-outs” to various regions represented within the West Potomac community, including West Africa and Latin America.
The event ended with the high-energy African Balzo dance, performed by the dance troupe from the World English Club and led by student Buchi Akpati. Like the other students who performed that night, this group was immensely proud of their work, as noted in the smiles and hugs exchanged afterwards.
The event was organized by the International Club. The student members organized, promoted and helped set up the event. The delicious food enjoyed this year was provided by students and several area restaurants, including O’s Place, El Puerto, Hunan Manor, Dishes of India and Magic Wok. Door prizes were donated by Target, Marshalls, Boston Market, Pizza Hut, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Applebee’s, Primo’s, Outback Steakhouse, Walmart and Papa John’s Pizza. The PTSA provided disposable plates and supplies.