A little rain couldn’t dampen the excitement of the Waterside community as we celebrated the return of the International Festival on Saturday, April 29. Students, families, and friends gathered to highlight the more than 40 nations that make up our student body. After a three-year hiatus, everyone was excited for the return of this special Waterside event.
The Festival kicked off with the Parade of Countries, showcasing the identities of our students. As each student walked down the aisle waving their flag and wearing their sash with pride, the gym was filled with cheers of joy.
- Alexander Guo, Class of 2027, representing China in the Parade of Countries.
- Sebastian Cadena, Class of 2026, representing Paraguay in the Parade of Countries.
Each class presented a dance choreographed and organized by a classmate’s family member to represent that student’s heritage. This year, Waterside students presented dances from Albania, Colombia, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. Waterside families also worked with current students to present dances from Guatemala, Honduras, the Philippines, and Peru. The day ended with the traditional performance of West African dancing and drumming by the fourth and fifth graders, led by Kwamé Henry Jones and Domeeka Long. Mr. Jones reflected on his long partnership with Waterside, called this year’s participants “an outstanding group,” and presented Mr. Jonny Duennebier with his own drum as a symbol of their fruitful friendship.
- Third-grade, section A, presenting a Plena from Puerto Rico.
- Members of the Class of 2023 entering the gym for their West African dance and drumming performance.
On Monday, May 1, the School continued to celebrate our community’s vibrant diversity with an international dress-down day and a Food Festival for lunch! Students came to school that morning dressed in clothes that represent their backgrounds, while parents shared savory and sweet dishes for an international lunch buffet. We are incredibly proud of the hard work students, faculty, staff, and parents put into making this event possible.

Kindergarten students celebrating their heritage for the International Food Festival.
- Kindergarten A performing “Waka Wake” from the 2010 World Cup.
- Kindergarten B performing a Mexican dance to a song from the film “Coco.”
- Class of 2027 performing a Cumbia, a traditional Colombian dance.
- Class of 2028 presenting a rendition of Jamaica’s J’ouvert.
- Third-grade students in section 3B presenting Soca, a Haitian dance.
- Class of 2024 performing Shota, an Albanian folk dance.
- Class of 2023 performing Soca from Trinidad & Tobago to celebrate Carnival.
- Junior kindergarten students perform to a medley of classic American songs.
- Students and faculty members preparing to present two West African drumming and dancing pieces.
- Fifth- and fourth-grade students dancing to “Kakilambé,” a mask dance from Senegal that celebrates children.
- Brandon Pitts, Class of 2023, presenting a Peruvian folk dance with family and friends.
- Angelo Arista, Class of 2025, dancing Tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines.
- Gareth Lagos ’29, drumming with family and friends, to present Punta from Guatemala and Honduras with fellow Waterside students Sally and Brianna Letona.
- Kindergarten students enjoying the food from the International Food Festival.
- Students in 3B enjoying seconds at the International Food Festival.
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