Marksmen Celebrate Multicultural Night

The St. Mark’s Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council (IDLC) hosted its first Marksmen Multicultural Night on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Hundreds of community members gathered on campus to share their rich cultural identities and learn more about the cultures of others. In the Great Hall, students manned tables with information about their cultures and customs. The evening also featured tastes from around the world, including baklava (Middle East), feijoada (Brazil), peri peri prawns (Africa), and gougeres (France).

           

“Marksmen Multicultural Night and events like it are vital to creating a greater sense of brotherhood and understanding between everyone in the community,” said Enoch Ellis ’22, who co-chairs the IDLC alongside Samuel Eluemunoh ’22, Tomek Marczewski ’22, and Zach Stone ’22. “We hope everyone who attended will learn the benefits of multiculturalism and learning about everyone else’s backgrounds. We want everyone to leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of everyone else’s culture.”

 

In Spencer Gym, guests were treated to international performances. The Upper School Choir sang Tshotsholoza (Move Forward), a traditional South African work song. They were joined by special guest Tchlidzi Ndou, a vocal student from Johannesburg currently studying at SMU. The Chinese Lion Dance delighted the audience and Austin Williams ’22 showed off his skill with the diabolo (Chinese yo-yo). And the Nu Phi Eta Sigma Step Team brought plenty of energy, as did the Grace Hula Dance Company. 

 

“Events like these are important because they promote togetherness and belonging,” said Lorre Allen, St. Mark’s Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Human Resources. “Through this event, IDLC enhanced the educational experience for all students and provided an opportunity to celebrate the various cultures in our community.”

 

The idea for Marksmen Multicultural Night was first suggested by members of the Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council. The boys envisioned an event where the community could come together to celebrate and learn about the different cultures represented at St. Mark’s. Throughout the year, more than three dozen students organized into committees to host tables, secure performances, arrange food, and more. In its first year, Marksmen Multicultural Night was open to Upper School students and their families; going forward, the hope is to open this event to the entire community.