28 countries: 1 community

Centennial Hall came alive December 8 with the sights and sounds of more than two-dozen cultures.

The International Student Alliance hosted its annual celebration of holiday greetings and performances, an MHS tradition recognizing our global community and showcasing the many talents of our amazing students. In all, nearly 30 students performed, offering dances, poetry, and music, at times in traditional clothing, and nearly 60 people shared greetings!

The event was paired with global foods served during lunch and dinner throughout the week. Chef Russ and the MHS Culinary Services Team supercharged the MHS menu with recipes contributed by students and adults, featuring favorite foods from home!

ISA co-Heads Emilie Coziol-Desy ’25 and Noya Samara ’26 opened the event by welcoming performers and guests, including the MHS Board of Trustees. Students and adults from twenty-eight countries then took center stage to offer holiday greetings and/or New Year’s wishes in the language of their home country. Fourteen amazing performances then followed!

Jane Ye ’27 — Blossom, a traditional Chinese dance

Iva Knezevic ’24 and Kaja Knezevic ’27 — Vostani Serbije, a Serbian song

Naomi Abaew ’26, Carolin Arndt ’25, and Carla Siebert ’25 — Fliegerlied, a dance from Germany

Hyeon Jung ’26 and Yun Jung ’27 — Taekwondo, martial art demonstration from South Korea

Fabi Romero ’26 and Vale Romero ’25 — Adios Amor, a song from Mexico

Ivy Kay ’25 — Neema Ya Kenya, a poem from Kenya

Sutra Chakma ’24 — Hillo Milebo, a dance from Bangladesh

Idalis De Jesus ’25, EA Peña ’25, Wel Maria ’24, Fabi Romero ’26, and Vale Romero ’25 — Mi Burrito Sabanero, a song from Mexico and the Dominican Republic

Ina Wang ’24 — Upwards to the Moon, a dance from China

Kyana Chainani ’25 and Casey Lai ’25 — Di Tanjong Katong, a song from Singapore, sung in Malay

Helena Liu ’27 and Yoyo Xu ’27 — Big Fish & Begonia, a Chinese instrumental song

Yoyo Chen ’26 and Trinity Ren ’26 — The Heart Wall, a song from China

Ing Chenkulprasutr ’26 and Ploy Jongjaroonrungson ’26 — Love at Sundown, a dance from Thailand

Emilie Coziol-Desy ’25 and Wel Maria ’24 — Entre Tu Cuerpo y El Mio, a traditional Folklorico dance from the Dominican Republic

The show closed with all the greeters and performers taking the stage and encouraging the audience to join them in song and to dance along to Emilie’s choreography.

What a great way to head into Winter Break!