Westbury Middle School recently held a Multicultural Festival for students and their families as well as Westbury staff and community members to display the traditions and cultures of different nations. People had the opportunity to browse and interact with an array of exhibits where they learned about different cultures. Experiences varied from people partaking in a gondola ride with singing gondoliers in the Italian exhibit to participating in a Japanese tea ceremony. Others took origami lessons at the Japan exhibit and sampled French pastries at the café in the France exhibit. Additional activities included jewelry making at the Venetian jewelry store, Mexican wooden craft painting, Mexican dance lessons, “La Catrina” Mexican folk art face painting and marionette shows. 
Various tables offered culinary delights such as French pastries, pasta, pizza and burritos, all while DJ Davis Orellana played an array of multicultural songs. Escorza Mexican Restaurant and Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant generously supported the festival by donating delicious ethnic food.
The festival offered fun, educational and interactive activities that helped students and community members gain a better understanding of diverse cultures, customs and traditions.
—Submitted by Westbury Middle School
