As summer is quickly approaching, everyone has begun chattering about their summer plans. Whether it’s traveling or relaxing at home, the end of the school year is always the time where people are the happiest. The end of the school year also means that district committee the Advocates for Community Transformation (ACT) is hosting their annual Multicultural Festival.

ACT is looking to promote inclusivity and respect within our community through school-wide events combatting discrimination and prejudice. One of their main events is the end-of-the-year Multicultural Festival, which includes inviting local restaurants to bring dishes to the festival so we as a community can learn more about the cultural aspect while appreciating what’s present in our diverse community. From vendors such as Cinnamon and Masa Midtown, to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the Multicultural festival provides students with many different cuisines. ACT is excited to host this event, and is glad that many students choose to participate in it. In addition to the food outside, middle and high school students will participate in the Bazaar, a collection of student cultures, such as food dishes and instruments, held in the RHS gym.

As secretary, I’m speaking on behalf of our committee that we’re hoping everyone enters the festival with an open mind and sees this as an opportunity to expand their palette, cultural understanding, and appreciation rather than just as an opportunity to skip class and hang out with their friends.