Tanaina Elementary School celebrates diversity during annual Culture Night event

WASILLA — Tanaina Elementary School celebrated its annual Culture Night event Friday, April 5, promoting the diversity of its students and their families, staff, and surrounding community.

“It was really beautiful,” Tanaina Elementary School counselor and event organizer Angelina Klapperich said.

According to Klapperich, about 270 people participated in this year’s Culture Night. She said that 17 different cultures were represented. Visitors were able to learn about a variety of cultures such as Mexico, Russia, and Japan.

The event featured a variety of cultural activities, food, and performances. Klapperich said that she’s thankful for having so many different people come together to celebrate cultural diversity each year.

“It feels very unifying,” Klapperich said.

Various songs, dances, and event poetry was presented throughout the event. Many participants wore traditional clothing to highlight their cultural backgrounds. Klapperich noted that they event had a special performance from Colony High School students who participated in the 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

“That was really cool,” Klapperich said.

Many of the cultures represented offered food to visitors, giving them a unique opportunity taste the various flavors from around the world.

“Everybody left with full stomachs,” Klapperich said with a laugh.

This event started three years ago through the coordination of Klapperich and former school nurse Cathy Chuey. The current school nurse Suzy Bergstrom helped Klapperich prepare for thus year’s event and even set up a table representing German culture.

“It was just amazing as that first year,” Klapperich said. “I think the main motivation is to really honor and celebrate the diverse cultures at our school.”

Klapperich said that this event is a great way to foster students’ sense of curiosity about other people’s cultures while learning about out their own backgrounds. She said the process of sharing the different things that makes everyone unique brings them all together, noting that the overall participation within the school and from across the community has continued to grow.

“I think it continues to build on itself,” Klapperich said. “I very thankful we can keep the tradition going.”

Klapperich said that she’s heard that other schools in the district have expressed interest in starting their own Culture Nights which is very encouraging.

“You just hope that it’s planting seeds… to be curious and not judgmental,” Klapperich said. “There’s a lot of different ways of living and one is not better than the other.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com