Cerritos College students gathered around at the student center last Tuesday for the annual Cultural day celebration that members from the Intercultural Student Association (ISA) put together.
“People from different cultures gather around to celebrate, it’s also a way for American people to get involved in cultural diversity”, said Leo Zambrano, English major and ISA member.
This celebration is held every spring semester and is intended to showcase different cultures here at Cerritos.
The event took off with an opening dance referred as an “Indian hop”. Both men and women from the ISA were clad in traditional Indian outfits and danced to original Indian music.
The audience also had the opportunity to try some special dishes from different cultures for a small fee. Thai tee and a Filipino dish called “puto” which is a steamed rice cake were some of the among served.
” The food is really good especially the Thai tea,” shared Danita Kurtz, ISA advisor.
Kurtz also mentioned that this cultural day was the first ever to be held during the day. For the past years this event was held exclusively at night. Members from different cultural groups around the community come together with the ISA and make it a very special night.
” This is first time we’ve ever held this event during the day, I think it really captures the audience,” Kurtz said.
The stage was also filled with color as members paraded down the stage in traditional outfits from all over the world. From the solid colored Filipino shirts to bright colors of a folkloric dress, to the glittery, rich fabric of the Indian dresses.
Former ISA president Karan Dhungana who is originally from Napal has always participated in cultural day since he arrived to Cerritos in the fall of 2006.
“There are more students here today as opposed to ones which have been held at night but it’s all typically the same thing,” Dhungana said.
He mentioned that this year he helped out at the practices and backstage.
With the numerous dances, food, fashion show, and some jokes thrown here and there Kurtz managed to choose her favorite part of it all.
” I really enjoyed everything, but I liked the fashion show and the dances. The dancers are good and I like how they are brave enough to go up and perform. They are very enthusiastic and their energy is high.”
