The World Culture Show was hosted by Berkeley High School (BHS) students Solomon Chang and David Verdin on Thursday, November 16 in BHS’s Florence Schwimley Little Theater.
The show consisted of ten performances from students of all grades and small learning communities who presented dances, songs, videos, poetry, and more, representing various cultures represented at BHS.
For one performance, four students from the Muslim Student Association recited lines from the Quran. Adriana Maciel Metal delivered a speech about Google Translate and how meaning is lost in translation between languages.
There was also a large group dance by students from the English Language Development Classes, in addition to many other performances from students enrolled in various language classes and culturally focused curriculums.
The show was organized by BHS junior and Associated Student Body Commissioner of Multicultural Affairs, Solomon Chang. Chang was responsible for finding performers and arranging the show’s order. Chang said he looked for anybody who wanted to perform some aspect of their culture for the community. He specifically went to Newcomer classes to find performers, which is a program for students who are learning English as their second language. Over fifty percent of the students who performed were from the Newcomer program. According to Chang, students rehearsed for many weeks prior to the event.
Director of Student Activities at BHS John Villavicencio, credits the success of the assembly to Chang.
According to Villavicencio, the purpose of this show was “to provide
an outlet for students to share an aspect of their culture … and to create a space to let students express something.”
Villavicencio stated that there was an underlying intention
to integrate and encourage the participation of students from the Newcomer program in the BHS community.
According to Villavicencio, language and cultural barriers can make it more difficult for English Language Development students to be a part of the community, so the show was an opportunity for these students to get involved.
Villavicencio said that the show was a chance for the BHS community to gather together and celebrate the various cultures that compose the student body within BHS.
“I hope it inspires others to share some aspect of themselves [with the com- munity],” he said.
He mentioned the BHS Talent Show, for which auditions will be held in February.
The performance held significant meaning for many students. Metal said, “Being able to take part in a show that embraces having a multifaceted identity was healing and gave me a confidence boost.”
Metal also explained her view of the show’s purpose and meaning.
“Aside from showcasing the plethora of cultures at BHS, the show rein- forces that BHS is a safe space to appreciate and express your own culture and identity,” she said. For her and others, performing for the student audience was a way of expressing their cultural identities.
Audience members enjoyed getting a closer look at their classmates lives and cultures. “I really enjoyed watching other students having fun on stage while the audience applauded and cheered in support,” said Clio Monrad, a BHS fresh- man.