The Copiague School District’s second annual International Night was a great success, attracting people from all over the community. Parents, students, and community members all showed their appreciation through their enthusiastic applause as performers graced the stage with elaborate, ethnic dance performances, songs, and a cultural fashion show. Grades 6-8 participated in the event, with 100 students performing and 60 students volunteering. The students represented more than 35 different countries from around the world. “This celebration of our diversity is a wonderful example of what can be done when students and staff work together. Everyone is so proud to see the community enjoying the evening,” stated Assistant Principal Claudia Prisinzano.
The chorus, led by Gina Occhiogrosso, opened the night with a moving rendition of the patriotic Cuban song, “Guantanamera.” Kirsten Ostrofsky, a sixth-grade science teacher, and Stephanie Colagiacomo, a middle school English teacher, worked together to organize the fashion show. The students walked the stage displaying authentic, native clothing from various countries. “The fashion show creates a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity in the district and is a way for the students to express their cultural pride,” commented Ms. Ostrofsky.
The Exhibition Hall in the gymnasium displayed self-made documentaries and video interviews of relatives in other countries. There were also research-based project boards which focused on many different individual countries that the students chose to explore. Before entering into the exhibition hall, the students received “passports” that would allow them to “take a journey around the world” and would be stamped at each station they visited.
All of the attendees were given red, white and blue tickets representing the passports needed to enter the international buffet entitled “A Taste of Copiague.” The food was donated by 23 community restaurants and was representative of the student ethnic population.
The success of the night was due in a large part to the hard work and dedication of all the staff members and students at the Copiague Middle School. “We celebrate diversity and promote tolerance all year long,” stated Middle School Principal Andrew Lagnado, “Tonight is a true celebration of our community.”
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