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McLean High School’s cafeteria came alive with food, music and traditional performances during International Night, bringing students, families and staff together to celebrate the school’s cultural diversity.
Student cultural organizations and the International Club hosted the event, where visitors explored booths, sampled dishes and learned about traditions from around the world. Onstage performances, some requiring months of preparation, became a major focus of the evening.
“It took weeks of training,” said Manushri Singh, a performer with the Bollywood dance group McLean Andaaz. The group selected music, choreographed routines and fit rehearsals around members’ busy schedules, she said.
Students performed traditional dances and songs throughout the night, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Sophomore Lucas Hendrix called the performances “mindblowing” and praised the time and dedication students invested while managing their schoolwork.
Food was another highlight. Families supplied homemade entrees, desserts and drinks, giving attendees an opportunity to experience flavors associated with different countries.
“Tasting each food from its respective nation has really taught me about every nation’s dish and its cultural flavors,” Student Human Rights Commissioner Eitan Miller said.
Clubs also used games and other interactive activities to share their cultures. Korean Club co-president Daniel Kim said the organization tries each year to offer as much food, entertainment and hands-on programming as possible.
The celebration required extensive coordination behind the scenes. Student leaders arranged rooms, managed logistics, scheduled performances and worked across clubs to keep the program running smoothly.
International Club president Leena Eid said preparations lasted about a month, with volunteers bringing food, setting up the space and helping recruit performers. Volunteer Cailin Yau said some planning began months earlier and included meetings, decorations and efforts to keep performances on schedule.
By the end of the event, the cafeteria had become more than a lunchroom. It served as a gathering place where members of the McLean High community connected through curiosity, food and appreciation for one another’s traditions.