Vernon Center Middle School hosted its annual Family Heritage and International Potluck Dinner Wednesday night and families, some in traditional dress, offered up a treasure trove of international delicacies.
The offerings ranged from Jollof rice from Nigeria, kielbasa and perogies from Poland, beef patties from Jamaica, cucumber yogurt dip from Iran and Greece, baked ziti and meatballs from Italy, pretzels from Germany, tamales from Mexico, samosas from India, crab Rangoon from China and Vietnam (with a little USA thrown in), beef empanadas and stuffed potatoes from Colombia, Norwegian meatballs, and barbecue mac and cheese combined with shepherd’s pie from the USA (specifically upstate New York.)
People in line for the potluck at Family Heritage night.
Desserts options included cheesecake from Greece, shortbread cookies from England, Fujiya Milky Peko Chan Hokkaido Milk candy from Japan, cupcakes and apple pie from the U.S.A. and jalebi, a popular sweet treat from India, west Asia and some parts of Africa.
“This is one of my favorite events at VCMS,” Principal Melissa Luke said. “It’s an incredible evening that honors the rich backgrounds of our school community through language, traditional foods, music, traditional dress, and even henna tattoos. The stories behind our families are what makes us who we are and we should always celebrate that.”
The potluck line at Family Heritage night.
Kyle, a seventh grader whose mom Linda brought the crab Rangoon, said he was partial to the tamales. He said he really liked the taste, as well as the opportunity to meet others and experience different cultures.
His mom said crab Rangoon is an Asian-American fusion dish, taking elements from China, Vietnam and the U.S. It was a hit with several people saying it was among their favorite dishes.
Cameron, a sixth grader, said he liked the pierogies, especially the sauce that was on them.
A family enjoying the night.
His mom Jessica said her family came out to meet other school families, school staff and to try some different foods.
Several students were very excited to show their teachers and principal the foods their families brought.
A mom said she was pleasantly surprised to see her daughter, who is normally not an adventurous eater, willing to try new foods.
The tamales ...
... were a big hit!
Signe Damdar, a French teacher and world language department facilitator at VCMS, organized the event with Regina Lee, the school’s gifted and talented teacher.
In addition to food, students and families learned how to say “hello” and “how are you” in different languages, listened to international music and pinpointed on a map where their families originally came from. There also was a raffle for a snack food from someplace else in the world, and each family got to go home with an international treat.
Picking favorite dishes.
“We really want to celebrate the very diverse community we have here at VCMS, and to celebrate their heritage and cultures,” Damdar said. “When the students come in, they see that their culture and their family is not only accepted, but welcomed and cherished and valued.”
And while teens are not always excited about trying new foods, the students at Wednesday’s event were trying unfamiliar dishes. “The students feel a sense of pride when they see others enjoying the food their family brought.”
Trying jalebi, a popular sweet treat from India.
There are a lot of cultures represented at VCMS and food is a great way for students to learn about them, Lee said.
“Food is always something that brings people together,” Lee said. “And what better way to spend an evening than to try something you haven’t tried before.”
Mrs. Damdar speaking to some students.
Trying a variety of dishes.