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| International
Picnic
130 Celebrate Mason’s Cultural Diversity By Rabita Aziz and Andrea Genovese Soares (October 29, 2002) The diverse community of Falls Church joined to celebrate the beauty of its of spectrum of cultures last Sunday as nearly 130 people attended the annual International Day Picnic. The picnic was moved from its usual
location at Cherry Hill Park to the George Mason café because of
the recent sniper scare and, although the scare is now over, planners kept
to the new venue.
The café and surrounding areas such as the senior courtyard were festively decorated with balloons, streamers, and flags of different countries. A great variety of foods brought by the attendees and representing their native countries, made the dinner a superb dining experience. The foods ranged dumplings to dahl, a South-Asian dish made of lentils and spices. While enjoying the distinctive dinners, individuals conversed with others of many different cultures, experiences and backgrounds. There was a pumpkin carving competition, with prizes to the top three winners. First place winners were Drew Maier and Peter Osterverchy who were awarded a plastic light-up pumpkin for their achievement. While young children enjoyed painting small pumpkins, others enjoyed watching freshman Vanessa Reese with help from Rachel Poppie create balloon animals for them. Pinatas, Mexican figures stuffed with candy and other treats, were available for hitting with broomsticks. After two broomsticks were enthusiastically broken, the pinatas gave in to the children’s overwhelming strength and desire for candy. Raffle prizes were also awarded. "The picnic’s Halloween theme was
a success," said junior Tetyana Onyshcenko. "I think the turnout was great
considering the fact that we unfortunately had to move the picnic inside
and didn’t have the time to inform everyone," said math teacher Linda Galofaro.
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