The first-ever One Beaver Cultural Heritage Festival brought together students and faculty for a celebration of identity, community, and the rich tapestry of cultures that make up Beaver. From homemade dishes to dancing and music to colorful displays lining the R-Level, students across all grades came together to honor where they come from.
The festival was entirely student-led, with months of preparation led by Affinity Group captains and the First Generation club. The idea began with a shared desire: to create a space where everyone could feel proud to represent their background and encouraged to explore others’.
Our biggest goal was to make sure Beaver students have a safe space to feel proud about their culture and identity while learning about others.
Kylee Hill '25
Along with helping plan the festival, Senior Kylee Hill ’25 also designed a tri-fold display to showcase Chinese culture, joining over 20 other student-created booths. Students and staff wandered from table to table, sampling foods, playing games, and appreciating traditional artifacts and attire.
Jasmine Idehen ’26, who represented Nigeria and played a key role in facilitating the event, said the planning team was intentional about including the entire Beaver community; “our primary goal was to foster a welcoming environment that encouraged participation from students across all grades and faculty,” she shares. “We wanted to emphasize that everyone had a role to play and could contribute.”
The Heritage Festival is just one example of the initiatives students have been leading this year. Projects such as the First Generation Club’s “Project Pinpoint,” a map highlighting the diversity of backgrounds that make up the Beaver community, are also working to spark conversations around culture at Beaver. These conversations deepen students’ sense of belonging, shedding light on sources of pride for their peers they may not otherwise discuss.
It’s important to have events involving both divisions, faculty, and staff. They give us time to pause, have fun, and connect!
Delonte Egwuatu, Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer
