Article by Phoenix writer Justin McKenzie ’24:
On Friday, January 5th, the One Heart, One Mind Many Cultures Club hosted the Haitian Independence Day Celebration in honor of Haitian Independence Day which is recognized on January 1st. Kellenberg students from all backgrounds showed up to join in on this celebration of Haitian culture.
Representatives from the Stony Brook University Haitian Club brought in many activities for the culture club to participate in.
Students began the celebration by playing a trivia Kahoot! that taught key words in Haitian Creole.
The representatives also played Haitian Kompa and taught the culture club how to dance. Haitian flags were flying all over the Millennium Room as students were dancing to Haitian Kompa music.
Senior Kenneth Kaywood, co-president of the One Heart, One Mind Many Cultures Club, shared, “As someone who’s not Haitian, I truly enjoyed learning about Haitian culture. I learned how to say, ‘Hi, how are you’ in Haitian Creole. I enjoyed dancing Haitian Kompa too.”
Soumie Restaurant, which is located in Uniondale, catered the Haitian dishes of Soup Joumou, Rice and Beans, Plantain, and Haitian Patties, all of which are considered staple foods in Haiti.
Senior Martine Demesyeux, who is the culture club’s other co-president, said, “It was a very beautiful celebration of Haitian culture with great activities. It was nice to see how many people from different backgrounds came to embrace Haitian culture.”
This event is just a taste of what the club has to offer. The culture club has a tradition of celebrating foreign nationalities and their traditions throughout the school year.
The One Heart, One Mind Many Cultures Club is open to all students and meets every other Monday at 3:30 P.M. after school.
Students can get their attendance “passports” stamped every time they attend a meeting. At the end of the year, students can win raffle prizes based on the amount of their passport stamps.