GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – On Friday, September 26, Union High School’s campus buzzed with excitement as it hosted its first ever Cultural Celebration, an event designed to honor and celebrate the diverse identities of its scholars. The event provided a platform for scholars to showcase their cultures, talents, and traditions while also bringing the school community together to build unity and pride.
Union High School, known for its academically and culturally diverse scholar body, has long been a melting pot of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. This year, thanks to the collaboration between staff, scholars, and community partners, the much-anticipated event provided an opportunity to spotlight that diversity in a meaningful way.
A Vision of Unity and Celebration
The idea for the event was initially sparked by Union’s principal, Aaron Roussey, who, alongside his scholars, sought to create a space that celebrated the rich cultural tapestry of the school and allowed scholars to proudly share their heritage.
Staff throughout the building supported the idea, but it was Youth Advocates Michala Carter and Nehemiah Dix who led the work of turning this vision into a reality.
According to Dix, “Although the original idea came from our principal, we felt strongly about bringing his idea to life in a way that showcased our student body.”
For Carter, it was all about fostering community: “The purpose was to build unity and pride while also connecting students and families with meaningful community resources.”
A Day of Festivities, Food, and Fashion
The event featured a vibrant lineup of activities designed to immerse scholars in cultural expression, including live performances, food vendors, resource tables, and cultural booths.
Throughout the day, scholars took center stage, displaying their talents through music, dance, and more. One of the standout performances was a scholar-led Mariachi band, showcasing the musical tradition of Mexican culture. The fashion show added another powerful element, with scholars modeling traditional attire from countries across Africa and Latin America.
Cultural booths and vendor spaces created even more opportunities for connection and discovery. Scholars and staff explored traditions through interactive displays—such as henna tattoos and a stunning quinceañera dress exhibit—while enjoying dishes from around the world. Nearby, community resource tables provided valuable information and services to support scholar success beyond the classroom.
Planning, Collaboration, and Scholar Input
The planning process for such a large event required months of preparation and coordination. Beginning in the spring of the previous year, a team of scholars and staff worked together to ensure the event would reflect the school’s diverse population and that the flow of the day would allow all scholars and staff to meaningfully participate in the event.
Specifically, the involvement of the Student Council was pivotal in this planning, as they helped with everything from scheduling and event setup to coordinating communication with performers. Their leadership also proved to be a powerful example of the direct impact scholars can have on school events.
“A team of Student Council members and staff from diverse backgrounds worked together to identify and connect with vendors who authentically represented their cultures,” Carter shared.
“Scholars were at the heart of the celebration. They performed on stage, modeled in the fashion show, hosted cultural booths, and engaged as attendees,” Dix added. “Their feedback shaped the lineup of performances, determined which cultures were represented, and even influenced the types of resource vendors included.”
The Impact on the Union High School Community
The Cultural Celebration’s impact on the Union High School community was immediate and far-reaching. Scholars and staff alike came together to celebrate one another’s traditions while gaining a greater understanding of the cultural diversity that defines the school.
For Dix, the sense of community was one of the event's greatest achievements: “The event built pride, unity, and connection. It gave scholars and families a chance to celebrate their identities while also gaining access to community resources.”
A Personal Commitment to Unity
For both Carter and Dix, taking the lead on this event was a personal commitment to the values they hold dear. As Youth Advocates, they have cultivated strong relationships with both scholars and staff, often serving as the “glue” that holds the school community together. The Cultural Celebration gave them an opportunity to see that sense of connection manifest in real-time.
Carter explained, “This event was especially important to us because it allowed us to highlight the diversity within our school while also creating an opportunity for staff and scholars to enjoy time together and strengthen relationships within the school and broader community.”
Dix could not agree more. “The fashion show, resource tables, and performances all reflected our commitment to making sure scholars felt seen, celebrated, and supported,” he shared. “It was also important to us that Student Council had a leadership role, because it reinforced that this wasn’t just for students—it was by students.”
A New Tradition in the Making
As the event came to a close, a palpable sense of pride and unity filled the air. Scholars and staff alike were able to come together in celebration of their diverse backgrounds, and the event highlighted the impact of direct scholar and staff involvement.
At its conclusion, Dix reflected on the overwhelming success of Union’s first celebration.
“The highlight was watching scholars beam with pride—whether walking the runway, performing, or hosting a booth,” he said. “Watching students, staff, and community enjoy the event was truly the icing on the cake. We’re hopeful this becomes a tradition that grows every year with even more student leadership and community involvement.”
For Carter, her overwhelming feeling was one of gratitude. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring this vision to life. We want to sincerely thank everyone who supported the Cultural Celebration.” She, too, hopes to make the event even better next year.
