Wheeling High School's 2013 Display of Cultures Heightens Appreciation of Ethnic Diversity

     Wheeling High School will once again celebrate its rich ethnic diversity with an annual, all-school event, the Display of Cultures, on Friday. May 24.  Throughout the day, students and staff will be treated to interesting informational exhibits, a fashion show, and music and dance of the wide variety of cultures from which Wheeling students have originated.  Represented in the event are the following cultures:  African-American, American, Argentinian, Belarusian, Brazilian, Bulgarian, Canadian, Chilean, Chinese, Colombian, English, French, Honduran, Indian, Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, Luxembourg, Mexican, New Zealand, Peruvian, Filipino, Polish, Puerto Rican, Russian, Saudi Arabian, South Korean, Spanish, Trinidad, Ukrainian, and Venezuelan.  There will be approximately thirty-one cultures represented this year.

     Activities will be held throughout the day, sponsored by Wheeling's multicultural club, S.H.A.D.E.S., to provide parents and the community an opportunity to attend.  The cost to see the show is $5 for adults, which goes towards scholarships presented to three deserving seniors who have participated in S.H.A.DE.S.

     Under the sponsorship of WHS staff members, Bertha Sanchez and Joanne Amador Zapata, S.H.A.D.E.S. coordinates the displays, fashion show and dances.  The sponsors expect an entertaining and enlightening event, in which students can gain respect for each other’s heritage and display their own cultures with pride.  The students become more knowledgeable about other cultures and it helps them appreciate each other more. 

     "We hope to express to our community a greater understanding of and commitment to helping humanity recognize and relish its oneness," commented Sanchez and Zapata.  "We hope to assure those attending an ultimate triumph of racial unity."