The entire Smith STEM community held a festive ‘Multicultural Night Celebration’ with featuring food, music, and dance at the West Hartford elementary school.
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
By Ronni Newton
Hundreds from the Smith STEM community came together on April 18 for a celebration of the school’s rich diversity at the annual “Multicultural Night Celebration” – a long-standing tradition which was revived last year following a hiatus for the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to organizers from the Smith STEM PTO, the school community was even more eager to celebrate this year after successfully lobbying the Board of Education to fund the position of family and community engagement coordinator – a home-school liaison role for Smith STEM and Charter Oak International Academy – currently held by Amanda Goeller.
Goeller, who was also very involved in the celebration, “means the world to many Smith families,” said PTO Co-Vice President Heather Sansone.
Multicultural night included a “Hall of Nations” featuring displays of information and food from various countries – with a total of 26 different nations represented. Those who were not involved in the country demonstrations played the role of “tourist” – getting their passports stamped as they traveled from country to country.
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
“I stand here today moved by the incredible stories of love, strength, and resilience in our multicultural families,” Goeller said at the event. “In a world often split by differences, we’re fortunate to live in a time where diversity isn’t just accepted but celebrated.
“Here, at Smith, we see the blending of cultures not as a challenge, but as an opportunity for growth, understanding, and profound connection. Multicultural families show us that love transcends race, religion, and borders. They teach us that our differences are our strengths,” said Goeller.
“Every family, every person, brings a unique story and perspective that makes our school special. In the hearts of multicultural families, diversity isn’t just a concept – it’s a lived experience. It’s the joy of sharing meals with flavors from around the world, singing songs from different cultures, and passing down stories through generations.
“But let us not forget that the path to embracing diversity has not always been easy. It has been paved with struggles, with sacrifices, and with the tireless efforts of those who dared to dream of a world where love knows no boundaries,” said Goeller, urging the community to celebrate its bounty and recognize that diversity is not a barrier but rather “a gift to embrace – a gift that enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives, and strengthens our society. Our school is surrounded by the incredible diversity that each student and family brings, making us truly fortunate to be part of such a vibrant and connected community,” she said.
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Participants then paraded to the gym for a “General Assembly,” where student ambassadors from each of the countries were announced. “Rocket the Wolf” – Smith STEM’s new mascot, also participated in the assembly.
The evening ended with dance performances by several students, and the final event was a DJ-led dance party that kicked off with a conga line led by representatives of the Brazilian community.
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Rocket the Wolf makes an appearance at Smith STEM’s Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Giana Park
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of Amanda Goeller
Smith STEM Multicultural Night. April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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