June 12, 2007

Allen Elementary at Steinbeck celebrates Multi-Cultural Fair

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Cute and cuddly, Allen the Alligator’s first appearance at the school was a big success. From the left are PTA vice-president of student activities Susan Porria, Allen the Alligator, and PTA president Cathy Rockermann.

The Allen at Steinbeck Elementary School campus turned into a Multi-Cultural Fair recently. And there were more than a few surprises at the annual event that pays homage to the diversity of the school’s students.

“I’m so darn proud of the Multi-Cultural Fair,” said Allen at Steinbeck Elementary School principal Nicolas Flores. “This is a real cultural treat for everyone. We’re really on a positive journey.”

And on that positive journey were booths representing India, Italy, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Hawaii and even Antarctica where a snow machine wafted a white flurry along with snow cones on the warm Saturday. Parent volunteers and students donated their time with food, crafts, information and fun about the country that they represented.

Helen Shetty presented two culinary delights from India, samosas and soan papdis, with the help of parent Maricela Valenzuela and their kids as well. From the left are Valenzuela, Shetty, Nikita, Carina and Karan.

Helen Shetty set up the India booth full of crafts, information and wonderful food: samosas, a pastry shell stuffed with vegetables and soan papdi, a mouth watering Indian dessert. And she has plenty of help with parent Maricela Valenzuela and their children helping serve the attendees at the Multi-Cultural Fair. They even painted henna tattoos.

But that’s just the beginning of the event. China had egg rolls, Mexico tamales, and at the Egypt booth kids are wrapped like mummies as well as munching out on hummus and pita bread. In Italy volunteers taught Italian, while in Hawaii leis were created while munching a piece of pineapple and don’t forget to build a windmill in the Netherlands. There is something for everyone at this ethnic celebration.

“Our multi-cultural fair is our largest community building event of the year,” said PTA President Cathy Rockermann. “We utilize dozens of our parent and community volunteers. Our student body is so diverse. We can learn so much from each other if we take the time to listen.”

Don’t try this at home. The Philopino pole dance fascinated the audience. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

And the entertainment presented was from all corners of the world: Chinese Lion Dancers, USA Martial Arts, Turkish Spoon dances and the Las Cruces Folklorico dancers from Sakamoto School, the Hoover School Folk dancers and a Mariachi group as well Steinbeck students singing and dancing. Even some teachers participated, dancing Polynesian and salsa to their students delight.

“This event is truly a way to bring all parts of our world together whether it be the ethnic portion or the community portion with support from our local San Jose Fire Department, San Jose Police Department, VTA, Yellow Taxi Cab Company and the YMCA,” said PTA vice-president of student activities Susan Porria who has twins Alyson and Brook attending fifth grade. “Or maybe it is just the ‘fun’ factor with “Gigante” from the San Jose Giants or our very own “Allen” the Alligator whom the kids have never met before. This is his first appearance.”