'Stronger Together': Redlands Unified Celebrates Diversity at Annual Multicultural Fair
Photos by David James Heiss
Members of Redlands East Valley High School’s Pacific Cultural Club’s Polynesian dancers take center stage at the Multicultural Festival.
By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
Student performers and local families gathered at Cope Middle School on April 18 to celebrate the Redlands Unified School District’s Multicultural Fair, themed "Stronger Together: Stories that Shape Us."
The event featured a variety of cultural showcases, including Mexican folklorico groups and Polynesian dancers, highlighting student organizations from across the district.
NaChé Thompson, the district’s coordinator of diversity and equity, emphasized the importance of visibility in the community.
"Redlands is full of diverse cultures, and it’s important that everyone feels seen and celebrated," Thompson said. "We want to expose our community to cultures that they might not otherwise come into contact with every day."
Volunteers from the Redlands East Valley High School "Steppers With Attitude" club were on hand to provide assistance and support the festivities.
Dancers from Ballet Folklorico.
"It’s important for everyone to get to know everyone’s cultures, find similarities and celebrate them," said Aaleiah Miller, a senior and co-captain of the Steppers.
Fellow senior club member Erin Douglas added that the event provided a unique opportunity "to see what others are about," while co-captain Kya Anthony noted the importance of the community coming together to "embrace one another."
The fair also drew families with international roots. Han Montambault, originally from Korea, and her husband Yannick Guenot, from France, attended with their daughter, Charlotte, who was born in Hawaii.
"We are hoping to see many cultures and certainly try some dishes from other countries," Guenot said, noting with a smile that they "mostly came for the food."
Attendees had several options to sample global flavors. Inglewood-based Soul Food Feels Good offered a vegan menu featuring smoked "ribs," creamy mac’n cheese, and "BBQ links." Other vendors served a variety of options including tacos, Dubai chocolate, and Hawaiian shaved ice.