EASTHAMPTON — School stopped for a few hours Monday at Easthampton High School to celebrate diversity through food, music and dance.
“The idea is to come together,” diversity club advisor Alex Alvarez said. “We have more in common than we think.”
Alvarez, a mathematics teacher, was the advisor of a similar club at Amherst Regional High School. He started at Easthampton High School two years ago, and said he knew from the start he’d like to start the club.
Concerns were raised last year about how the school administration handles bias-related incidents, including a student walkout in March. Claims of harassment and bias at the school prompted investigations by the state attorney general’s office and Superintendent Nancy Follansbee.
The school now has a 10-step action plan in place to transform school climate, such as anti-bias training for both teachers and students.
While the Diversity Club is not part of the action plan, it’s raising awareness on cultural differences and inclusiveness, participants said.
Pektra Nhem, 17, said being part of the club makes him feel welcomed and express his culture, such as his family roots in Cambodia.
“I definitely noticed a big change,” Nhem said.
Club member Bryana Rodriguez, 15, said she’s mixed-race and, at times last year, felt nervous going to school. But the school climate is a lot better this year, she said.
“Everything that happened opened everyone’s eyes a little more,” Rodriguez said.
Monday’s event was the first for the Diversity Club, and Alvarez said it went well. Local businesses donated about $1,000 to fund the event and Golden China Pan, Corsello Butcheria and a Spanish restaurant in Holyoke contributed by donating food.
School Committee member and owner of Corsello Butcheria, Kasey Corsello, spoke to students about the value of curiosity. She told the story of when she ventured off to Rome, fell in love and the cultural differences regarding food. She opened a butcher shop this year inspired by one in Rome.
“Use curiosity as a tool,” Crosello told students.
Students heard music from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, Island Group from Puerto Rico and the WoFa West African drum and dance troupe from the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School.
Franklin Nichols, who plays piano for the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, told the audience a story about himself. He spoke of being blind, learning Braille and his love for music.
“All people want to be treated equally,” Nichols said.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.