On Oct.14, Ripon High staff and students welcomed our foreign exchange students from Kyoto, Japan, for their first day experiencing the highschool culture of America. For Ripon High, hosting exchange students has become known as a beloved tradition for the community, and a chance to appreciate a different culture. The main event of that day was the Multicultural Rally and it gave students the opportunity to learn about other cultures while embracing their own.

Promptly after the third class of the school day, the North Gym was filled with ecstatic students and lined with patriotic themed decorations in welcome of the Kyoto students. 

“I think the rally and how we executed it was a lot better this year; like the decorations and the different components we had, just because last year we didn’t really do decorations.” says Sofia Grewal, a senior at Ripon High. 

The audible “oohhs” and “aahhs” from students admiring the adornments in the North Gym during the rally seemed to agree with Grewal’s perspective.

Pupils were bubbling with excitement as they began to take their seats around the bleachers and waited for the rally to begin. A greeting from rally commissioners senior Richard Langenfeld and Justin Saltsman rang out through the loudspeakers, and with that, the rally had commenced!

The first performance, a lively dance that was conducted by the Kyoto students, was able to portray Japanese culture through the use of choreography and cultural music, which piqued an interest in many of the students who attended the rally.

Afterwards, a short speech shared between our principal, Mr. Rangel, and the principal of Kyoto University of Advanced Science Junior and Senior High, Mr. Sasai, was made in order to thank each other for their hospitality and kindness. Both Sasai and Rangel exchanged plaques of gratitude, and shook hands. The emerald green plaque given to Rangel read, “Cherish Our Roots. We Appreciate You.” on the bottom.

Following the heartfelt moment, three students, dressed in beautiful and traditional Indian garments, stepped into the spotlight and began to dance. The audience watched in awe as the young ladies expressed their culture through the use of dance.

Estudiantes Unidos, a club at Ripon High of Hispanic culture appreciation, took the stage thereafter, displaying gorgeous quinceañera gowns traditionally worn by young women on their 15th birthday within the Hispanic culture. 

Jessica Segura, a senior who was among the ladies wearing quince dresses, states that, “Some [students] might not be aware of cultures and different places. So I feel like [Estudiantes Unidos] presenting our fifteen dresses and cultural wear really shows them stuff they don’t already know about.”

Ripon High’s dedicated Punjabi Club, a club that was formed this year, was also involved in the rally and danced their hearts out. Kamal Kaur, a senior who co-founded the Punjabi Club, shares that the Punjabi Club had been, “practicing since the mid of september,” and that they practiced for at least two hours every week. The commitment of the Punjabi Club really goes to show that a lot of effort and hard work is put into these performances by the groups who wish to share a part of their culture with others.

The rally ended with the Rock and Roll Club playing several wonderful renditions of classic American rock songs; most notably “American Idiot” by Green Day, to share a sliver of American Culture.

“I feel like people enjoyed it. I was really glad to hear people say, ‘Oh, you guys sounded good’ or stuff like that,” James Willkins, a member of the club and a senior, explained. “A lot of teachers came up to me and said things like, ‘It’s great we have students performing live music now.’ And I’m really glad we are able to provide that for people.”

Wilkins imparts his knowledge by adding, “I think that culture is definitely something that is meant to be shared. By sharing more of your own culture, you are informing people, and you are kind of giving them access to who you are.”

The Multicultural Rally of 2024 was a wonderful way to share cultures and will forever leave a long-lasting impact on those who attended.