Popular International Gala Showcases Cuisine, Music, and Food From Around the Globe
As African drummers from Melody Africa-African Drum and Dance played, the aromas of delicious Nigerian, Ethiopian, Caribbean, Indian, Guyanese, and Italian cuisine filled the Van Curler Room during the annual International Gala on April 27. Organized by the International/English Language Learners (I/ELL) Club and Student Activities Board (SAB), with help from the Anime Club, this was the second year of the popular gala. Approximately 160 guests attended including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community who celebrated cultures from around the world. Many guests wore their traditional attire.
Maureen Mbanga, international student from Zambia and Mathematic/Science major, was the emcee for the festive event along with Abhi Sharma, Science: Biology concentration major, who has roots in India. Mbaya Kasongo, of Congo, who is a Digital Music and Beat Production major, was the deejay for the evening. Students and invited guests performed traditional dances from India and Guyana. Rani Deosarran, Security Staff Member, sang Indian and Guyanese songs, and student speakers from Yemen, Trinidad, and China shared their stories with guests.
“I was delighted and proud to see my students put in all that effort in planning for the gala and decorating the Van Curler Room,” said Shalini Varma, Biology Instructor and Advisor to the I/ELL Club. “The many hours of meetings and discussions paid off, seeing the College community gather to celebrate our diversity and to enjoy the evening. President Moono saying that the event united our College community was the highpoint of the night for me.”