Four students at Palos South Middle School plan to help spread the beauty of cultural diversity through a special night of celebration.
The eighth graders—three of Lithuanian descent and one of Japanese/Mexican–are gearing up for the school’s first culture night May 14. The event at the Palos Park school will feature information tables hosted by district families showcasing their cultural backgrounds, as well as dance performances, ethnic foods and craft making.
The idea came out of the school’s Capstone Program, a voluntary endeavor in which the four students gathered at school before class once or twice a week to brainstorm ways they could help improve their community.
They decided an opportunity for people to share about themselves would be a good way to bring people together.
“Everyone should have a chance to educate others about their own culture, but do it in a fun way so they remember it,” said Indre Luksys, who, like two of her peers in the project, has parents from Lithuania and speaks Lithuanian with them at home. “If they appreciate the different foods they’re going to try, they’re going to remember it.”
Indre, who attends a Lithuanian school on Saturdays, has been planning her presentation.
“We’ll have a chance to do some cultural performances, so they’ll be impressed by the beauty of what they see,” she said.
By sharing their cultures, the students hope to foster a wider sense of community at Palos South.
“The thing I like best is I knew we were going to be helping people come together with all their cultures and have a chance to share the different things their cultures have to bring, because every culture is special,” Indre said.
Renata Stapcinskaite, Indre’s mom, said her daughter had worked hard and put “lots of passion” into the project.
“She wanted to solve the problem of cultural discrimination and embrace an open mind with other cultures,” Stapcinskaite said. “I’m most proud that Indre had a very great understanding of her culture from the very early years of her childhood. It is wonderful that she has made such an effort to encourage others to appreciate their own culture.”
Ann Marie Ruprecht, who facilitates the Capstone Program at Palos South and teaches sixth grade language arts, said the girls spent lots of time researching their idea. They met with Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters and her staff and interviewed Palos South principal Stuart Wrzesinski and Huwaida Hamed, who oversees English language learning programs at the school.
“Our two major things are acceptance for all and to have fun,” Ruprecht said. “It just gives them a great opportunity for everyone to learn about different cultures. With everything going on in the world, we’re one in the same.”
Kamile Juzenas, whose parents also are from Lithuania, learned 34 languages are spoken in her school district.
“I’m excited this is happening and hope everyone enjoys it,” she said.
Student Meda Kameza, also of Lithuanian descent, said she and her fellow project students were “passionate about different cultures.”
“I wanted everybody to learn that everybody is one person,” Meda said.
Meda’s family was planning to bring cepelinai (potato dumplings) and Tinginys (Lithuanian cookies), as well as souvenirs and books.
Mileta Kameza, Meda’s mom, said her daughter has done presentations before.
“She is open minded and understands that people from different cultures can act and think differently, and you should accept people as they are with no judgment,” Kameza said. “It’s important to be mindful and understand other people from different cultures. It will help other students to understand and accept friends from different cultural backgrounds.
“That will make school culture more positive, less bullying and everyone will be happier.”
Penny Ocampo, whose parents are of Japanese and Mexican descent, said the effort is a great way to learn about their classmates and others in the community.
“It was fun for all of us to learn about different cultures,” said Penny. “The project is a good idea because it’s going to help children learn diversity.” She and her sister will likely wear Kimonos to the event.
Franco Ocampo, her dad, said the students worked hard and the school staff “did an amazing job of facilitating the students and making something they imagined into a reality.”
“Cultural acceptance and appreciation is something we need now more than ever,” he said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
