One of the booths at the Medicine Hat High School culture fair on May 31, 2022 highlighted the Republic of India. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Organizer hopes Hat High culture fair brings students closer together

May 31, 2022 | 3:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The cultural mosaic of Medicine Hat High School was on full display on Tuesday, giving the student body the unique chance to dig deeper into the diversity that exists at the school and in the community

“We don’t always, you know, seek out to learn about other people’s culture. We see it but we don’t always get an opportunity to learn,” says teacher Megan Getz. “So I think this is a really great, great thing for people who may see it but not know a lot about it to kind of learn a few things.”

Getz says an event like today’s culture fair can expand the worldview of all students. She adds presenters can achieve an increased sense of belonging and inclusion, which can help their education.

“When you can feel included in a building and you feel at home in a building and you feel like you’re valued, your culture is being visible and seen, I think that that goes a long way with your learning,” she says.

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Students had set up nearly 20 booths in the Hat High hub to showcase their own culture and heritage. Students at the booths gave history and other facts about their culture, and some offered traditional food and wore traditional dress.

Getz and fellow teacher Chad Watson brought the idea of showcasing the school’s diversity to the student council, who had been looking to do the same thing.

Grade 12 student Ladi Bil began organizing the day and says it was important to her to showcase the school’s diversity before graduating.

“I’m just very glad that we’re getting the warm reception that we are, that we all just get to learn about the differences and in all honesty, I think culture is what binds and unifies people more than like adversity and stuff like that,” she says.

Bil’s brother presented on South Sudan. Established in 2011, it’s the youngest country in the world. Ladi says her brother showed off the cuisine of the country and spoke about the different languages spoken and the different ethnic groups that call the country home.

Getz says learning about cultural diversity is something there needs to be more of and it’s great to start in the school.

“I think diversity is very real in Medicine Hat and if we can find ways to celebrate diversity and inclusion in our school I think it’s amazing,” she says.

In the afternoon, guest presenters spoke on topics including racial inequality, implicit bias and how to be an ally.