Singing in front of a live audience for the first time was easier than it might have been for Rory Ali because she felt good about performing a song by the popular Sherene, sometimes known as the “Adele” of the Middle East.
Born in Egypt, Rory, a junior at Oak Lawn Community High School, was just one of the dozens of students on hand to showcase their cultures and welcome bilingual families from the wider Oak Lawn community in their native tongues during a recent Community Outreach gathering at the school.
“I’m glad my first time singing is a Middle Eastern song,” Rory said. “Just singing an Arabic song for the first time makes me feel in touch with myself. No matter who I am, I’m going to be Egyptian.” she said.
Rory liked that the event was a way to showcase cultures in a way that moved beyond ethnic stereotypes. Besides her performance, the evening included dances from Puerto Rico, Peru and the Dominican Republic, a Dabke Arabic folk dance, poetry readings and an Arabic and Hispanic Fashion Show.
There was also a video about the history of the pinata and a real Pinate was broken outside the school cafeteria. Families brought in cultural items for display, including scarves, a tea set, and there were tasty ethnic dishes, such as chicken and rice and beans with pita bread and hummus for sampling.
Sarah Alqazaq, a junior whose parents are from Jordan, read a poem about humanity and brotherhood by Isa Alnouri.
“It talks about unity,” she said. “People think I’m Jordanian because my family was born there, but we are Palestinian.”
The annual Community Outreach showcase started about a decade ago as a way for students and staff to welcome Arabic and Spanish families and learn about school activities and clubs and for students to practice their native languages. Those goals remain but it has also evolved into a celebration of cultures and a way to promote self-esteem, respect, understanding and unity in the school community. It is hosted by the Arabic Honor Society sponsored by Marwa Elmasry and the Spanish Honor Society and Organization of Latin American Students and Solidarity sponsored by Ariceli Torres.
“I think it creates a bridge especially with our community members who do not speak the language,” said Torres, a World Language teacher and cosponsor of the event with Elmasry, also a World Language teacher. “That’s the way for us to reach out in hopes they would be involved more with the school.”
Elmasry, who teaches all levels of Arabic and won the 2022 Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year award, said she was proud of how hard the students worked at and embraced the event.
“They are eager to show their cultures,” said Elmasry. “But I think the students working in Spanish and Arabic work in harmony. Also, the families enjoy each other.”
This year’s event also welcomed representatives of cultures new to the event including Sudanese and Yemeni students and families, Elmasry said.
“You are seeing more people showing their cultures because they feel welcome,” said Elmasry, adding several of her former students who had graduated came back this year to attend the event.
Students brimmed with pride during the event, saying they welcomed the chance to show their true identities.
“I like that we express our cultures,” said Mohammad Khaddash, president of the Arabic Honor Society, who led several introductions of student performances. “We get to see other people’s cultures.”
Mohammad, a sophomore who was born in Jordan but emigrated with his family here several years ago, said he was also glad to show some positive things about his culture that outsiders might not know.
“People are welcoming usually,” said Mohammad. “They’re kind to you … they like to show you their culture, to express it.”
Muhammad Abuelhawa, also a sophomore, who was dressed in a traditional Middle Eastern dishdasha for the fashion show, said he felt good about wearing the outfit, which men wear to pray.
“It feels way better dressing up in your own clothes,” said Muhammad, whose dad is Palestinian and mom Jordanian. “You don’t really see most Hispanic and Arab cultures … it’s a better way of showing people.”
The event has become an emblem of pride for the school, and one that students like Camila Ramirez, a graduating senior, said she would miss.
“Community Outreach is a vital component of promoting unity while respecting diversity within the school,” said Camila, a Mexican American student who is president of the Spanish Honor Society and OLAS. “It combines two of the largest ethnic groups from our school and dedicates a special night to celebrating each culture.”
Camila, a senior, added she loved the event.
“I think it’s a beautiful event that should continue for years to come as the entire community seems to enjoy it,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
