As the FON season begins, students are diving into one of the school’s most cherished traditions. Festival of Nations (FON) is not only a showcase of cultural diversity but also a community-building experience where students express pride in their heritage through dance. For some, like the freshmen, it’s an exciting first-time adventure. For others, like seniors, it’s a bittersweet finale to years of unforgettable memories.
This year’s FON officially began with a rally on Thursday. At the event, students from all grades gathered after school to explore the wide variety of FON groups they could join. FON leaders provided potential members with summaries of their planned performances, sharing details about the specific cultural music and clothing
For many freshmen, the kickoff event was a window into what makes FON special. Freshman Isfa Masheet said, “I first heard about FON through the bulletin board on the second floor. When I looked it up, I saw videos of students celebrating their cultures through dance, and I knew I had to be part of it. It’ll be scary at times, but I’m really looking forward to working with my friends and immersing myself in different cultures.”
Sophomore Janae-Saige Moore, co-leader of Caribbean FON, said her passion for dance led her to join last year. “My cousin, who was a senior, told me about FON, and I joined the Caribbean group he was leading. I instantly fell in love with it. After FON ended, I was asked to be a leader, and I immediately said yes because it was such an amazing experience.” As a leader this year, she said she hopes to incorporate even more elements of her Caribbean heritage, including new dance moves and cultural influences.
For senior Emma Lee, co-leader of Korean FON (KFON), FON is both a celebration and a challenge.
“This will be my last FON ever, so it’s a little bittersweet,” she said. “My co-leaders and I are excited to give each category: Lovely, Powerful, and Energetic its own spotlight this year. It’s a lot to manage, from choreography to costumes and finances, but seeing it all come together on stage makes the hard work worth it.”
Leadership is a central part of the FON experience, and it comes with its own lessons. Senior Sithi Das, a leader of Bengali FON, said,“FON has taught me that not everything will go the way you want, and asking for help is okay. Teaching others how to dance wasn’t something I was comfortable with at first, but I’ve learned to adjust to people’s needs and bring out the best in my group.”
The FON kickoff is a crucial moment for participants, serving as an introduction to the program and an opportunity to ask questions.
Janae said: “It’s a chance to clarify things and get everyone excited about what’s to come. It’s the first step in building the connections and energy that make FON so special.”
