International Week Brings Holy Angels Community Together

International Week returned to the Holy Angels campus February 28-March 4, with glimpses into the many nations and cultures represented within the Academy’s community. Formerly a one-day event, students from the AHA Diversity Council recently developed International Night into a multi-day world “tour.”

This year’s observance was driven by the students with leadership from seniors Chaelin Park and Adriana Santos. Guidance was provided by the AHA Diversity Council’s co-moderators, including AHA Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Danielle Holmes; AHA Director of Mission & Ministry Joan Connelly; and social studies teacher Jennifer Cucchisi.

“I first celebrated International Week during my freshman year when I first joined the Diversity Council,” Park explained. “As a freshman, I worked under many welcoming and passionate upperclassmen, who taught me how to celebrate such a large school event and prepare me to lead the event in the future.”
 
Before the pandemic, several seniors allowed Park and Santos to take the lead on certain days, but the event was virtual, and focused on morning announcements. This year, Park said she and Santos were inspired by their pre-COVID ideas. Both seniors provided mentorship for underclassmen, particularly during the cultural performances that took place during lunch. 

“What was so special about this year’s International Week was the fact that we truly embraced the efforts of all the different cultural clubs and societies, and included them into our celebration,” Park added. “This celebration is extremely meaningful to me because I love to see everyone at AHA embrace their own heritages and enjoy others as well!”
 
Santos views International Week as an opportunity for the school community to come together. 
 
“International Week unites us as a community and acknowledges our own unique walks of life. We are able to learn more about the world around us, and that alone helps us to foster acceptance between different races, religions, and cultures in general,” Santos added. “Being part of International Week was something I was always interested in since freshman year, and I was so glad to partake in during my last year here at Holy Angels. I hope to continue my interest in cultural clubs in college and take what I learned here throughout the rest of my life.” 

Social studies teacher James Dykes directed the International Night program, which was hosted by junior Priscilla Lithgow.
International Week contributors and presenters included members of the Asian American Cultural Club, Black & Hispanic Cultural Society, the Middle Eastern Cultural Society, and the Slavic Baltic Cultural Society.

Throughout the week, students shared various aspects of their diverse cultures, including music, dance, cuisine, and cultural garments. Different areas of the world were highlighted each day. Morning announcements included prayers for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Angels scrambled to answer trivia questions sponsored by AHA’s cultural societies.

The week culminated with Heritage Day, a celebration of all cultures, and the International Night program that highlighted music and dance from around the globe.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from many cultural and religious backgrounds.