Features - OnLine

International Dinner

250 Enjoy Exotic Cuisines and
Entertainment at International Dinner

By Rabita Aziz (March 7, 2005)

As patrons entered the entrance to the cafeteria on Wednesday night, perhaps the first thing that struck them was the bevy of bright colors adorning all aspects of the usually mundane cafeteria scene. The usual big bright flags hanging from the ceiling, including the new flag of Madagascar to represent new students from the African nation, for once seemed to be dwarfed in comparison to the vibrant posters and streamers embellishing the white walls, and vivid tablecloths with their unique centerpieces covering the drab tables.


Bright colors also adorned the people, many wearing colorful outfits from their native countries. Once a year, the annual International Dinner transforms the Mustang Café into a fiesta, with a fun and festive atmosphere, a far cry from the usual lunchtime tone. This year, approximately 250 people from the Falls Church community attended the 18th annual International Dinner, and most would agree that it was a unique one.

Sponsored by the PTSA, the ESOL Department, and the International Club, this year’s dinner not only consisted of a banquet of distinctive international cuisine, it also featured a raffle, and many live performances by Masonites. The patrons in attendance, which included not only students and their parents but community members as well, were asked to bring their favorite international dish, and they delivered. Every inch of the cafeteria line was covered with exotic foods. Dishes included samosas from India, sushi from Japan, platanos from South America, pad thai from Thailand, and tortillas from Spain. The PTSA provided desserts, drinks, and appetizers as well.

This colorful and appetizing sushi dish was just a
sampling of the food present at the International
 Dinner last Wednesday. (Photo by: Rabita Aziz)


After everyone was stuffed with the delicious international cuisine, the entertainment began. Several students performed, the first pair being the Porzel sisters, with junior Jessie playing the guitar and singing, and younger sister Kathryn singing as well. The sisters played a rendition of one of Jewel’s songs. Following the sisters, young Irish step dancers took the stage. Of the three performers, two of the girls were the daughters of International Club advisor, Suzanne Planas who displayed what they’ve learned at the Maple School of Dance with their intricate Irish step dancing. Following the girls was Michael Nelson who played a rendition of Jasmine Flower, a Japanese song on the cello. Afterwards, freshman Soorya Namboodiri, dressed in traditional Indian garb, exhibited her native country’s dance to a mix of modern and traditional Indian songs. Finally, several students performed a traditional Bolivian dance. In their intricate outfits, Kristina Pozo, Saly Alcocer, Blanca Liuzaga, and Andrea Guerra danced "La Saya" to rhythmic music that had the audience captivated.

The night also featured a free raffle, with so many gifts to give away that all of them weren’t distributed. Gifts included decorative pieces from other nations such as Peru, and gifts for children of all ages like bubbles and the movie Mulan.


Bolivian dancers performed the traditional dance
La Saya in their colorful outfits.  (Photo by: Rabita Aziz)
 Although the event was not a fundraiser, the International Club was able to raise more than $150 from generous donations from the diners after this writer personally delivered a speech about the plight of refugees around the world and the Lost Boys of Sudan, and the need for donations for the tsunami relief effort that Masonites have undertaken in the past two months.

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