News - OnLine
International Dinner
International Club Donates Money
To Refugee Committee 

Rabita Aziz (March 12, 2004)

The International Club donated $475 to the International Rescue Committee, an organization that donates money to displaced persons around the world to buy food, clothes, furniture, and other supplies, at its annual International Dinner last week.
 

Donating money to a refugee aid organization was the main goal of the International Club this year. They raised the $475 with their Care Packages, a new fundraising endeavor that club vice president Rawan Faramond came up with. The care packages were sold before midterms, and were purchased by anyone who wanted to give their friends or children a little pick-me-up during the middle of the stressful exam times. The new fund raiser was a success, not only raising a lot of much needed money for refugees, but also bringing awareness to the international problem, which affects millions of people all over the world. The IRC was very grateful for the donation, and a representative was there to receive the check. 
Sisters Arya and Soorya Namboodiri pose in their 
Indian laanghas with friend, senior Rawan Faramond
in her Palestinian clothing.
 
With an attendance of over 200 people, the night started off at 6:45 with special welcomes by principal Bob Snee and PTSA president Sharon Schoeller. Ms. Suzanne Planas, Spanish teacher, translated for the two in Spanish. The dinner line then opened. Dinner goers enjoyed many different foods from all over the world. Some of the dishes included papusas, a dish from El Salvador made out of masa, a cornmeal, usually made with beef and cheese. Another dish included Spanish food, paella from Spain, usually made with seafood and rice. From South Asia, there were samosas, crispy shells filled with beef, and vegetable biryani. Other facors included fried rice and couscous. There was also pad thai, Tex-Mex food, and many pasta dishes as well, including lasagna. The International Club and PTSA had provided tortilla chips and salsa, cookies, and celery and carrots. They also provided bottles of water for every person in attendance. 
 
The real highlights of the night however, were the performances. Mr. Brian Dickson was the emcee for the night, and he presented four student performances. The first was an Irish soft show reel dance, by sophomore Betsy Elliot. Then, sisters Arya and Soorya Namboodiri did an Indian dance to Desi Masala, a mix of different Bollywood movie songs and American songs. Betty Elliot then returned, and this time performed an Irish hard shoe Reel dance. Then, 6th grader Alison Grant performed the Hula, a traditional dance of the South Pacific. The final performance was by three novice Irish dancers from the Maple School of Dance. The three performers were Maria Elena Planas, Olivia Plana, and Clare Nelson. 
International Club members are poised to give their 
check of $475 to a member of the International 
Rescue Committee.

The night ended with the raffle drawings. Raffle prices were donated by teachers, students, and different families. The grand prize was a donation from Irish Four Provinces for a brunch for two people. The Shum family donated about 30 raffle prizes, including school supplies and toys. All in all, the night was a success. According to teacher and International Club coordinator Mrs. Linda Gantz, "Fun was had by everyone!" 
 


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