On Oct. 3, Aragon hosted up to 22 food booths in the school’s South Gym, marking the 15th annual International Food Fair, where culture clubs and their corresponding parent groups provided entertainment and food to those in attendance.
The Fair was held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event’s main contributors include Aragon’s Polynesian Club, Asian Parent Group, and Latino Parent Group.
“This year we’ll have about 22 food booths,” said PTSO food fair chairperson Sabrina Ocampo. “You walk in and there’s a table set up [where] you can purchase tickets to buy food with.”
The large number of booths at the fair contributes to the revenue generated by the event.
“There’s country booths around the whole perimeter of the South Gym. There’s usually between 18 and 22 booths set up, and each dish costs between one to three dollars.” Ocampo said.
The event usually generates between four and five thousand dollars from sales.
Because each booth sold multiple dishes at varying price points, the PTSO raise a significant amount of money.
“The money that we raise goes towards PTSO scholarships to graduating seniors,” Ocampo said. “We get involvement from international culture clubs but the proceeds go towards those scholarships.”
The clubs involved, such as Polynesian Club, Chinese Culture Club, Japan Club, and Latino Club, provided more than just cultural cuisine.
“We have a DJ, and we have dancers from around the world come and dance cultural or ethnic dances. There’s music, dancing, sometimes singing,” Ocampo said. “The Aragon Jazz Band performs too.”
The event also serves to benefit students through other in-school awards.
“Students can get the most out of the event by inviting their friends, their families, by attending.” Ocampo said. Students can earn Silver Sword points by volunteering to serve food at a country booth or by helping with set up and other aspects of the event.
The significance of this more than a decade-old event doesn’t just stem from its fundraising capabilities or its volunteer opportunities, but through how the contributing clubs use this event as a way to showcase their cultures and to embrace their differences.
“Different groups get to come in and show their talents, whether it’s the food, or the dancing, or the music, so I really enjoy all of that and I think that a lot of people who attend it really enjoy that as well.” said Aragon Spanish teacher Alejandra Cheever.
The tradition is rooted in the event’s emphasis on pride and a celebration of identity.
“That’s part of what makes it a staple here at Aragon; it really brings people together and allows them to celebrate diversity at Aragon,” Cheever said. “People love to eat and that always speaks to people and brings people back.”
Benjamin Ho, a Spanish teacher of nine years here at Aragon, agrees. The event isn’t just a fun way to share a meal with friends; it can mean much more.
“Food is kind of a universal language … it’s something that connects people regardless of where you’re from,” Ho said. “I think especially here at Aragon people have an appreciation of food and customs from other parts of the world.” Ho said.
Ho has seen firsthand how food can influence people’s perspectives on other’s cultures.
“[Students can] try new foods, ask about new foods, they don’t have to go with their usual favorites, they can try new cuisine that they’ve never had before.” Ho said.
This year’s International Food Fair was an event where Aragon students donned their cultures with pride and raised money for PTSO scholarships, which will be granted to members of this year’s graduating senior class.
