By James Smith

Patterson High School held its annual Culture Night on April 29, and it really brought the whole community together. With people representing over 40 countries and more than 20 languages, it was a true reflection of how diverse the school is.

There was a lot going on throughout the night. Different cultures like Russia, Jamaica, China, and Syria were represented through food, music, and performances, giving everyone a chance to experience something new.

“I love attending Culture Night every year and think our staff and students do such a great job of showcasing our diversity!”, said Ms. Reid. “The food and performances do not disappoint. I was happy to see more countries represented this year and think it will continue to grow in the years to come. This makes me proud to work at Patterson!”

“Culture Night was an amazing experience as a first-year teacher at Patterson”, declared Ms. Dockery. “It was a great opportunity to fellowship with coworkers, students, and their families. I thoroughly enjoyed the event, and I look forward to the next Culture Night.”

Students really made the night special. They shared their cultures in different ways, and you could see how much pride they had. One of the best parts of the night was the in-house modeling performance, where students walked the stage in cultural outfits. It was fun, energetic, and the crowd loved it.

“I enjoyed the dancing; it was so inspiring. I learned they do many dances and different dances for each culture. I would go again because I would like to try different cultures’ food.”, reflected student Daniel Washington.

Ms. Harris, who helped plan the event, stressed that it was truly a team effort. “This event did not fall on one group or department to plan, nor was only one group represented. Cultural celebrations happened on many levels and incorporated many of our diverse groups from our international student body to our sports teams and Arts department.”

Ms. Harris continued, “Every continent was represented with support from US born and international student and staff alike with performances, displays, and food. Even parents spontaneously sang and danced. On the night of April 29th, I truly saw One Patterson!”

Ms. Salinas, who brought a home-cooked Puerto Rican dish to the event, echoed this sentiment. “What I really love is the UNION of all nationalities together, knowing that we’re all the same and all deserve the same treatment and respect as who we are and not where we come from.”

Some staff members who attended this year’s Culture Night are already thinking about the next one. “I already have ideas about what I want to do for next year!”, said Ms. Matthews, who was in charge of the programs and performances. 

Overall, it wasn’t just about entertainment—it was about people coming together, learning from each other, and celebrating what makes everyone unique. It was a great night and a reminder of how strong and connected the Patterson community is.