Sue Small-Kreider
In Motion Staff Writer
Diversity of food brought people together for the International Cultural Festival, but the diversity of club missions and cultures got people talking.
Fourteen clubs represented different world countries, with displays about the county’s culture, as well as a sampling of their food. The clubs also talked about their own club activities, inviting people to participate and join.
“Diversity of people, thought and expression provides energy and vitality for the learning process. Daytona State celebrates both the originality and distinction of individuals and cultures, while at the same time valuing the common bonds that unite us as a global community,” reads the college’s values statement, which is part of DSC’s overall mission statement.
While the occasional mid-October raindrop was felt, the groupings of tents on the grass and stations under the Student Landing covering kept food and displays dry.
“The rice and edamame are vegetarian,” said Gina Lisa Moster, President of the Health Information Management Club which was representing Japan.
Also representing Asian countries were the Studio Rats Art Club, serving baba ganoush, an eggplant dip with naan, a flat bread from India, while the Student Government Association presented China with chicken and vegetable egg rolls.
“My mother grew up in Germany so that’s why the Veterans Club chose Germany, warm pretzels and yellow stone-ground mustard,” said Patrick Toal, President of the Veterans Club.
Other European cultures were presented by Phi Theta Kappa serving Greek salad and spanakopita, a Greek spinach flake-and pastry pie. Italian pasta with red and white sauces and garlic bread were at the Business Club’s table. The Student Paralegal Association had Irish shepherd’s pie. Global Friends, the International Student Organization, served French fruit tarts and mini quiche, while The Dual Enrolled Students Club served Polish potato filled dumplings known as Pierogi.
From the Americas, the Student Massage Therapy Association represented Guatemala with salsa, chips and tamales. Women In Science and Engineering offered a taste of Mexico with queso, chips and meat quesadillas. The Caribbean nations of Cuba and Jamaica were represented by the Science Club with Cuban sandwiches and the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship with jerk chicken. Rounding out the hemisphere was the American Sign Language Club representing the USA with chicken salad sandwiches and apple crisp.
Making its first appearance at the International Cultural Festival was the college’s two-year-old Cultural Diversity Committee with a suggestion box to collect ideas and information to help make all students feel more included at DSC. The Florida Nursing Student Association gave away candy, while promoting the Florida Kids Care health and dental insurance program to students with children.
Rounding out the cultural celebration were performances by Elika Kalwi and his Hawaiian music and dance team and Aldaberto Bravo and his band who played an international blend of jazz, classical and flamenco music. The DSC Jazz Singers closed the festival with a selection of a cappella songs including John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
A week prior to the International Cultural Festival, the Native American culture was celebrated with a demonstration of the culture’s dances by members of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina and Lipan Apach Nation.