Students from all around the world attend Clyde A. Erwin Middle School, and on Monday, they celebrated their diverse backgrounds.
During Cultural Community Night, students and families learned about each other’s cultures and tasted food from Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. They sampled sweets, learned about traditional crafts, and got to know each other better. They took photos with flags representing every student at Erwin Middle, and they placed stickers on a world map to show countries where they were born or have family.
“We get to experience other people’s cultures and other people’s tastes,” said Karina, a seventh grader. “I got to meet other people I haven’t talked to before, and that was cool.”
Angelina, a seventh grader, said she felt proud to see her aunt demonstrating Cherokee basket weaving to excited students.
“I think this night helps us all feel like we belong together,” she said.
Allison Hughes, a community school coordinator for the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, said the Cultural Community Night is a special example of the regular weekly Community Nights, which feature tutoring, food, and games for families throughout the Erwin District. This one specifically focused on diversity, creating a welcoming space for families from around the world to teach each other about their cultural backgrounds.
“It’s engaging and fun,” she said. “It involves student clubs, teachers, local businesses, high schoolers, and families. We’re all here to celebrate each other.”
Erwin Middle is a Community School—the hub of its neighborhood, uniting families, educators, and community partners to provide all students with top-quality academics, enrichment, health and social services, and opportunities to succeed in school and in life.