Wakeland High school is taking time this spring to teach students about the many cultures that make up our campus, fulfilling the district’s promise to know each student by name and need. Wakeland’s Cultural Fair, a cross-curricular project that combines Human Geography and World Geography classes, allows students to broaden their horizons and experience the flavors of other cultures.
A study done by the Drexel University School of Education states that “Not only does creating greater multicultural awareness and inclusion help students with different backgrounds and needs succeed, but it encourages acceptance and helps prepare students to thrive in an exponentially diverse world” (Drexel University).
Students participating in this project are tasked with researching another culture, presenting information on that topic, and serving traditional food. Although students found the project rewarding, they faced challenges along the way, developing strong problem-solving skills along the way.
Elizabeth Scott, a student participating in this project, reveals that she struggled with “getting the food to put on display, because you can’t have some allergies” in the food. However, despite these small roadblocks, Scott and the other students managed to serve a variety of delicious treats.
Throughout the course of this project, students were able to celebrate cultures and create valuable memories. Coach Callahan emphasizes the importance of the Cultural fair to “get kids interested and exposed to cultures other than here in Frisco”, asserting that the fair is “important for diversity, empathy, and celebrating the good things about other cultures”. In the words of Coach Callahan, “what better way to [bring students together than] with food?”
Culture is vital to learn; As a very diverse community, Wakeland students learn to celebrate diversity and develop empathy. The cultural celebration is an incredible opportunity for student growth, creating skills that last a lifetime.
This report, for WINTV and Wakeland Access, was part of the Journalism 1 and broadcast classes’ “Spring Break Challenge” where students applied new academic skills like on-the-fly interviewing, audio recording, camera skills, collaboration and editing, even on a Friday before the break. This effort demonstrated the students’ dedication to learning and celebrating what makes Wakeland a vibrant place for all students.
Check back after Spring Break for the Podcast portion of this report!
Photographer: Giovanna De Oliveira
Lead producers: Emily Stephens, Ben Miller, Ava Wheatley, and Kieran Orleans
Writers: Kareena Varughese, Ella Brookshire, Ben Miller, and Roger House
Video editors: Grace Pu
Interviewers: Chloe Aviles and Sophie Collins
Additional Interviews and B-roll: Turner Corey, Daniel LeVine, Aadi Sharma, and Micah Henriksen.