Del Val’s International Club is starting off the year strong, as it will be participating in the Hunterdon County World Fair on Sept. 20. Students will help with the activities happening throughout the day and have their own part in the fair.
International Club strives to bring awareness to all the different cultures and celebrate the diverse identities represented in the school and community. Allysa Catalla, Del Val senior and International Club president, believes that the World Fair aligns well with the club’s goals.
“This event is going to show how every country and every culture has something unique to share and how much we can learn from each other when we take time to listen and appreciate those differences,” Catalla said.
Catalla also expressed her excitement for the World Fair as it will be the first time that the International Club will take part in a local event.
“It makes me proud that the club is being recognized,” Catalla said. ” I am beyond happy to be a part of this event.”
On the day of the World Fair, club members will dress up in traditional costumes and be in charge of running a children’s scavenger hunt. Any children that attend the fair will get a passport that they can carry with them as they search for the International club members hidden throughout the fair.
“We’re going to have stamps and we’ll be stamping their passports,” Debra Billmann, International Club adviser, said. “Once they have collected all the stamps, they get a prize.”
The club received this opportunity after Joe David, owner of Descendants Brewing Company, reached out to Billmann to coordinate the club members’ involvement in the event.
“Joe started talking to me about this idea in late May, he wanted to include the high school and build bridges in the community,” Billmann said. “…It seemed like a great opportunity to show that there is a wide world out there with so many cultures.”
Billmann’s goal throughout this event is to expose her students to different cultures, while teaching how special each culture is.
Throughout the summer, Billmann and Catalla attended planning meetings to organize the student’s roles in the event. They faced some challenges and conflicts when it came down to the timing of the event.
“We’re still in the early planning stages and the date is already coming up,” Billmann said. “We wanted to find a way to get students involved and make it interesting for them.”
Although stressful, Billmann and Catalla want to be sure the event turns out perfect.
Catalla hopes that the club’s efforts at the World Fair will showcase and bring appreciation to all the identities in the school and community.
Del Val’s International Club has worked hard in preparation for the World Fair. Although the day is going to be fun-filled, the true purpose of this event is to celebrate the uniqueness and individuality of different cultures, not only in the community but throughout the world.
“This event is going to be a day to explore global traditions, diversity, show appreciation for cultures and bring people together,” Catalla said.
