Celebrating the Diversity in Our Sisterhood

Recently St. Agnes students had the opportunity to experience music, art, history, traditions, dress and delicious foods from around the world right here on campus as they joined with families and educators to showcase the various cultural backgrounds that make up our school community.

The festivities were part of our inaugural Celebrating the Diversity of Our Sisterhood event, held on October 4 in conjunction with Sisterhood Month. For 25 years the Lower School has celebrated sisterhood during the month of October.  This year, the theme chosen for the month, The Diversity in Our Sisterhood, gives our students an opportunity to focus on sisterhood in an even broader, richer way.

“We have a beautiful, growing diversity in our SAA community, and we wanted to celebrate the ways that wonderful diversity enriches our sisterhood and our experience as part of this community,” said St. Agnes Lower School Dean Jenn Wojcik. “God's creation is amazingly rich, each one of us unique, and we wanted the girls to grow in their understanding and appreciation of this.”

The day started with an outstanding presentation to SAA K-6 students, led by members of three Upper School Clubs: The Black Student Union, the Hispanic Student Organization, and the Multicultural Club whose members presented in the traditional dress of their native countries. Senior Dany Mercado, member of the Multicultural Club shared, “It was a great opportunity to teach and expand the knowledge of younger students about the different countries, cultures, languages, and traditions that exist not only in their school environment but everywhere around the world.”

Dany, whose family is from El Salvador, joined the SAA community during her sophomore year. 

“This event gave me the opportunity to share my culture, values, and most importantly who I really am with people from the community I love. Being part of this Upper School community and the Multicultural Club has brought a sense of belonging and acceptance to me that I hope can be passed on to other students,” Dany added.

The celebration continued at lunch time with a festival on the front lawn, bringing together our 7th-12th grade Stars for food, music and information tables hosted by students, SAA parents, and local community partners. In addition to displays from our Upper School clubs, there were tables representing SAA families from Cambodia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and South Korea. Community partner the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis also took part in the event.

Eighth grade student Amara Touch, whose family is from Cambodia, participated in the festival with her parents. Her family displayed many culturally significant items and prepared amazing food for everyone to enjoy.

“I felt honored to be a part of this opportunity,” said Amara. “I love sharing more about myself and my culture. Since Cambodia is not a very well-known country, helping other SAA sisters learn more about it just made my day! Not many people know a lot about my background since I have only been here for one year, so this was my chance to share a part of who I am!

"Both my parents and I were overjoyed with finding out we were going to be a part of the Diversity in our Sisterhood Celebration! My parents got straight to planning everything out and making people's Cambodian experience unforgettable. My parents had a never-ending smile the whole time,” Amara added.

“It was a memorable day, from start to finish, and just the beginning of special relationships that will carry through the year,” said Dean Wojcik. It was heartwarming to experience the excitement for this event and the incredible generosity of time, talent, and treasure shared in a variety of ways. We're already planning for a larger event next year.”

The BSU, HSO, and Multicultural Club members all look forward to future opportunities to be active on our campus. Dany explained, “Our job as members of these organizations is to raise awareness, educate, and instruct those who are interested in learning about the different and unique kinds of people here on our campus.” When asked about making connections with our Lower School Stars she added, “Creating a relationship with the Lower School students not only enforces our sisterly bond, but it also lets them know and understand that we all look out and care for each other in this community.”

The Diversity in Our Sisterhood theme is about celebrating all forms of diversity in our community and will culminate with an event on October 25 entitled Celebrating Diverse Needs. Katie Olsen, Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Assistant at SAA-SDS will speak to our K-8 students about her very full life with Downs Syndrome, followed by a performance by the Madonna Learning Center Celebration Troupe, of which Katie is a member, and a short video about autism.