Pitman High had its very first Culture Rally on Friday, April 26th, 2024. Multiple meetings with the principal, Angela Freeman, and the culture club advisors/officers led up to this very successful rally. These meetings consisted of discussions surrounding the various events each club would take charge of, not only during the rally but also during lunchtime throughout the week of the 22nd.
HYLC, Hispanic Youth Leadership Club, started the Culture Week off strong on Monday; they had face painting, live music, dancing, photos and so many fun activities in the amphitheater for the students to engage in. There was great student participation!
Tuesday was shared by PAHS, Pan-Asian Heritage Society, and SHSS, Sikh Honors Service Society. The combined clubs had name writing, trivia, music, and overall amazing student involvement. Briana Padilla, PAHS advisor also led a Haiku writing station on the side which resulted in some creative poems on the students’ side.
Wednesday was Assyrian-American Club, the Culture Diversity Club and PISA, the Pitman International Student Association. The clubs shared the amphitheater where the Assyrian-American Club had incredible dances, while PISA and Culture Diversity Club had henna, music artifacts, name writing, and fun music!
Thursday was BSU, the Black Student Union, and Portuguese Club’s day! BSU had fun basketball games in the amphitheater while the Portuguese Club had an informative table set up with fun games that involved spinning a colorful wheel!
All the wonderful days led by the many cultural clubs on our campus ended on Friday with a tremendous rally that further highlighted the beautiful differences and diversity that Pitman houses. The rally was a magnificent tribute to everyone’s cultures; from Portuguese to Asian to Afghan to Chinese to Hmong: the Culture Rally, more specifically the PAHSsion Show lead by PAHS highlighted most cultures if not all.
The student body got to experience dances from HYLC, Culture Diversity Club, Portuguese Club, Assyrian-American Club, and PISA. BSU recited the powerful “I have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. while kids in Choir and Mariachi performed their lovely pieces! PAHS ran a PAHSion Show that allied kids from all grades and cultures to walk in their cultural attires.
Pitman’s first Culture Week was a massive success! There was great overall student participation and everyone enjoyed listening to awesome music and watching bright and brave students take charge of the rally! Hopefully, Pitman will have another Culture Rally next year, making this Culture Week an annual event at Pitman High School!