Culture is a quintessential ingredient connecting customs and traditions to create diverse and healthy communities. At Central East High School, we are fortunate to have a culturally rich student body, so we wanted to celebrate our diversity on campus. Thus, Culture Week was born.
Culture Week is a labor of love and respect at Central East High School, showcasing what we value most: our incredibly multicultural and diverse student body. We have organized it in a way that benefits our students and represents the majority of our population.
What sets our Culture Week apart from others is that each day focuses on a different segment of our student body. Instead of showcasing all cultures every day, we dedicate time to highlight one region of cultures and ethnicities.
Day 1, Monday
Celebrates Black History and African American culture. This day is hosted by our Black Student Union Club and Umoja Scholars Club. We kick off the week with a flag parade featuring flags from all over the world. Students can dress in cultural attire, and the clubs host events during lunch. Past activities have included step performances, cook-offs, African drum circles, and even a game of Family Feud.
Day 2, Tuesday
Highlights Punjabi and Indian culture. Fresno, and our school, have a significant Punjabi population. Spearheaded by our Sikh Service and Honor Society (SHSS) and Punjabi Club, this day features a mini Holi celebration, name writing in Punjabi, henna, and Indian food and drinks.
Day 3, Wednesday
us, making up about 60%. Spanish Club and Folklórico lead the day with folklórico dances, a student banda performance, a piñata, aguas frescas, evil eye bracelets, and a loteria table. The piñata is one of the most popular activities of the week, drawing students to engage with other events.
Day 4, Thursday
Celebrates Asian heritage. Organized by our Asian Club and Hmong language program, activities include Pov Pob ball, Chinese jump rope, K-Pop dances, Hmong dance performances, and singing showcases.
Finally, Day 5
French Friday, but the term “French Day” doesn’t fully capture the spirit of this day. It’s our multicultural day, where everyone is encouraged to wear cultural clothing. For those who haven’t felt represented throughout the week, this is their day. The French Club has featured Tahitian sodas, Polynesian dancers, French lessons, and Polynesian marriage ceremonies.
The week concludes on Friday with a multicultural fashion show during lunch. This event is open to all students who wish to showcase their cultural attire. We’ve had representatives from countries like Mexico, India, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Tanzania, France, Italy, and more.
Leadership plays a vital role in this event by empowering clubs and ensuring each day runs smoothly. We assist with decorations and provide supplies such as paint and speakers as needed. The beauty of Culture Week lies in it being student- and club-led, with leadership offering support.
Since its implementation a few years ago, student involvement has grown significantly. Many students come out to support the different clubs, and others share their cultural clothing so more people can participate in the daily events.
The entire school community gets involved. Teachers join the fashion show, and the cafeteria collaborates with leadership to prepare food matching the theme of each day. Our art teacher even took the initiative to create a cultural mural in our amphitheater so we can celebrate year-round. The campus transforms with decorations and cultural attire visible throughout the school.
This week makes us better humans. These celebrations and events help us share and learn more about one another. By coming together in celebration, we can break bread across cultures, finding common ground that unites our entire student body.
