The inaugural Riordan Cultural Night was held on March 6 and celebrated the diverse backgrounds of the student body, featuring music, dance, clothing styles, and food from around the world.
In total, more than 15 cultures were represented, including those from Latin America, Asia, Armenia, Greece, India, Polynesia, Ireland, Spain, South Pacific Islands, and the Philippines.
The night buzzed with excitement with 13 cultural performances organized and prepared by students and faculty. It began with two Armenian piano pieces composed by musician Arno Babajanian and performed with strong emotion and dedication by Jeremy Ombrek ’27, setting an upbeat and strong tone for the evening.
Next was a zumba dance, a style with origins in Puerto Rico, performed by math teacher Karina Mathisen and chemistry teacher Dr. Carol T. Their high-energy moves and infectious rhythm had the audience up on their feet, clapping and cheering along with the beat.
To close off act 1, Riordan’s Latinos Unidos presented ‘A Quineañera To Remember’, a heartfelt reenactment of the classic tradition by Beatriz Taylor ‘26 and other members to celebrate the event through the symbolic changing of the shoe, the father daughter dance, and the baile sorpresa.
After the performance, Latinos Unidos president Alyssa Abaunza ‘26 said, “Being able to represent my Latino culture alongside my friends during Cultural Night was such an honor and a privilege that I will always cherish.”
In between performances, stations set up and run by volunteer parents and culture-affiliated clubs filled the cafeteria to showcase their culture. Tables overflowed with enticing dish samples, vibrant decorations, alongside traditional games and heritage items that invited students to explore and engage with different cultures firsthand.
Caroline O’Connell ‘25 commented, “I was most excited to give students the opportunity to express their cultures alongside our community in a special way. Everyone was so eager to join and perform, which is the best part of the whole event.”
In act 2, the stage came alive with spirited performances from the Asian Student Association (ASA), Indian Club, and the Philippine American Coalition (PAC), each offering a window into their rich cultural heritage through welcoming song and dance.
Act 3 included Irish dance performances of the slip jig—a softer and more graceful movement, and treble reel—a fast-paced and energetic dance that included all four dancers, performed by Caroline O’Connell ‘25, Eva Tonella ‘25, Neve Devlin ‘28, and Lucy Cassidy ‘28.
“Apart from highlighting traditional performances of Ireland, from this event I learned a lot about different art styles and gained a new interest in other cultures’ traditional arts,” Neve ‘28 said.
To conclude the night, the Pasifika Club performed captivating dances on a journey through the islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, and Samoa.
Pasifika club moderator Coach Lee said, “Sharing my culture means a lot to me but I think it meant more to our students. We have a lot of Pasifika students on campus and it was great seeing them represent their families and culture on stage.”
“Cultural appreciation is so important because every culture’s traditions have a history that has been passed down for generations, so taking the time and effort to appreciate and learn about other cultures helps everyone understand the past and how it plays a role in our future,” Kristina Nori ‘25 concluded.
