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.
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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.
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This colorful and appetizing sushi dish was
just a
sampling of the food present at the International
Dinner last Wednesday. (Photo by: Rabita Aziz)
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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.
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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.
Tell us
what you think.
E-mail lassogmhs@hotmail.com
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