Pine Hill Elementary School auditorium was converted into a global tapestry for their 2nd Annual International Night. 25 countries hosted tables representing their beautiful heritage and inviting guests to view their educational displays with great enthusiasm. Paper passports were provided by the event host, the Pine Hill CSA (Community School Association), for stamping as children traveled around the globe visiting tables to stamp their passports with flag stickers from each country.
Each table offered a tempting array of homemade dishes, drawing guests with their authentic flavors. From familiar favorites like Lithuanian latkes and Indian vegetable samosas to exotic treats from Russia and savory rice and bean dishes from Guyana, there was something to satisfy every palate. While not everyone may have enjoyed every dish, the spirit of the event was about embracing diversity and trying new things. At the South Korea table, hosts dressed in traditional hanboks and served up a taste of their culture, including popular treats like Oh Yes! Bars and homemade Gimbap. Passport holders also had the opportunity to learn traditional Korean games and have their names written in Korean script.
Considering Sherborn's modest population, we felt privileged to welcome representatives from an impressive array of countries, including Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, El Salvador, England/UK, Finland, Greece, Guyana, India, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Lithuania, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Syria, as well as the US Virgin Islands and West Indies. The inception of this event stemmed from the vision of Irene Saranteas, hailing from Greek heritage, and Monika Acharya, who immigrated from India as a young adult and now proudly calls Sherborn home. When asked about their inspiration for organizing this event, Monika expressed, “I joined hands with Irene and my intention was to not only bring the community together and recognize the immense diversity in town, but also to make every child feel comfortable. To share the uniqueness they bring to this town and celebrate their acceptance by all. With so much going on in our own small town, we need need to take time to get to know one another to take care of each-other.”
Rafaella Agostino, a native of Italy, shared her knowledge of Italian culture and pasta-making techniques passed down from her mother and grandmother, guiding children in crafting traditional pasta shapes using a hand-turned pasta maker. Nearby, Officer Ruegg of the Sherborn Police Department, a familiar face from last year's event, joined in the festivities, highlighting the community spirit of the occasion. Originally from Switzerland and fluent in Italian, Officer Ruegg prepared traditional fondue, adding an international flair to the event. In a light-hearted Facebook post, the Sherborn PD playfully remarked on the Swiss fondue, adding to the event's jovial atmosphere: “‘Twas a very neutral table… cheesy enough for ya.”
Attendees of all ages came together to enjoy the evening, with families being joined by parents, former Pine Hill parents, friends, and grandparents, creating a truly multi-generational event. The night featured three captivating performances. Dr. Vaishali Verma, a Pine Hill parent, dazzled in traditional Indian attire as she opened the event with a dynamic solo folk dance from India. Following her performance, International Night showcased the vibrant music of steel pans by Pan Loco, made possible through generous grants from the Mass Cultural Council, the Sherborn Arts Council, and the Sherborn Business Association. One of the performers, Alexis Madison, born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, played a pivotal role in bringing the performance to life. She highlighted the mission of Branches Steel Orchestra, a Boston-based steel pan orchestra committed to inspiring and educating young people through music and education. “the music brought together culture from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and the West Indies and through this event I have built friendships with a fellow family from the Caribbean, who I might not have otherwise had the pleasure of knowing.” As a finale to the evening, a traditional Polish dance was performed and made possible by the Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Bostons which even got the children involved learning a dance.
This event underscored the age-old adage that it indeed takes a village! Pine Hill's diverse international community continues to expand, highlighting the capacity of this small New England town to nurture global citizens. Dr. Brown, the school's principal, was present at the event and expressed his appreciation for the event's organizers, “Thank you Irene and Monika for bringing your vision for an International Night event to our school community! The event was very well attended. Children and adults of all ages were stimulated with food, music, dance, games, information, and community energy! It is a testament to the strong Sherborn community that current, former and future Pine Hill families participated. International Night provides an important opportunity for students to share and celebrate their cultures and family traditions.”
