The event, supervised by Math teacher Christie DesRoches and led by Branksome students, was a stunning display of global traditions and pride, with the AWC Dining Hall transformed into a bazaar-style cultural showcase. A Culture Day has been on the minds of Branksome students for years, and as soon as they were given the opportunity, students jumped right into planning. “This past fall, a few different groups of students seemed to be working on this idea, so we came together as a larger group to brainstorm, and it evolved from there. The concept and event were truly student-driven, right from the start,” remarked Christie.

Using special passports, students travelled from booth to booth collecting stamps and stickers representing the countries they learned about. Many participants wore beautiful cultural clothing to reflect their heritage, and everyone had the chance to sample traditional foods while learning about the customs and histories behind them. “It was such a joy to watch the event come together over about six months,” said Christie. “From early brainstorming sessions to lunchtime meetings, to time spent in the library handcrafting passports, so much energy and heart were put into the planning and execution.”

Grade 11 student Hana was thrilled to take part in Culture Day. An Egyptian who grew up in Dubai, she has always cherished the Arab culture that has surrounded her throughout her life. At her table, she displayed a poster filled with iconic landmarks such as Petra, the Pyramids, the Burj Khalifa and the Kaaba. Her table also featured delicious food such as hummus with pita, Atayef and traditional items including coasters and a book about Dubai. Hana shared that her favourite thing about Arab culture is its richness and beauty. “One of my best memories is during Ramadan in Egypt—waking up before dawn with people outside drumming, lanterns lighting up the streets and everyone sharing a meal,” she said. 

Travelling across the room to the Canada booth, attendees were greeted by Grade 12 student Raven, who presented items and stories from her Ojibwe culture. Raven spoke about the history of her people and shared the resilience of Indigenous communities through artifacts such as her grandmother’s artwork, which was created on their reservation, traditional moccasins she made as a child and a rattle made of deer hide. She also offered wild rice, a traditional Ojibwe food. “My favourite thing about my culture is our connection to the land,” said Raven. “My people are known for our strong relationship with nature. We see ourselves as equals with the plants and animals of Turtle Island, and that connection brings me a deep sense of belonging and fulfillment.”

Employees also got involved to share their cultures with the community. English teacher Karen Whitaker and Curriculum Innovation and Technology Coordinator Yoon Kang created a colourful and delicious booth celebrating South Korean culture, sharing how meaningful it has been to see Korean culture embraced more widely, from K-pop to cuisine. Karen also reflected on the complexities of being a mixed-race individual, having struggled to be accepted by both sides of their identity in the past. “I hope to model pride and acceptance in my mixed identity, and show that there is no one ‘correct’ way to be a member of your community,” they said. When it comes to connecting with their South Korean heritage, Karen notes that food has been their favourite way to enjoy and learn more about their culture. “After I moved away from home, I stayed connected through food. There are great Korean restaurants in Toronto, and I’ve learned recipes from my mother. I always make rice cake soup (tteokguk) to celebrate Lunar New Year!”

This unforgettable event would not have been possible without the leadership of Christie DesRoches, the help of Aramark, the Facilities team and the IT department, and the passion and hard work of all the students and employees who shared their stories and traditions. “We hope that Culture Day will become a new tradition at Branksome, and that it will only grow from here,” said Christie. “We hope to have even more cultures represented next year, so don’t hesitate to reach out and get involved!” A huge thank you to all who participated—we can’t wait to celebrate again next year!