On Thursday April 10, 2014 the Oakton community gathered for its annual Cultural Festival to celebrate the diverse student body that they are known for. From Wushu martial arts to Bollywood dancing to musical performances, students and faculty got a taste of the exotic cultures the students have to offer.

The festival has been ongoing for over ten years, achieving its goal to provide an opportunity for the community to fully appreciate the different heritages and talents that make up the student body. The completely student-run show has given students the freedom to express their heritage in whatever way they saw fit, given it was school appropriate. The exhibition is performed during both Cougar Times and once in the evening for parents. The show is open for anyone to audition and perform – including teachers. Famous for his outstanding performance of the Justin Timberlake hit song, Mirrors, last year, and John Legend’s All of Me this year, Leadership and math teacher Malcolm Lee knows this first hand.

The completely student-run show has given students the freedom to express their heritage in whatever way they saw fit

“Teachers can definitely perform, it’s just the courage to get up and do it,” says Mr. Lee.

The members of the Middle Eastern South Asia can agree. Vice President Tejal Patki led her group in a traditional Indian Bollywood dance that they started practicing for since October.

“It was fun, one of the member’s mom got [our costumes] from India and brought them back for us,” says Patki.

Senior Saeed Speede performed a rap he wrote himself about suicide, depression and struggling with self-acceptance, hitting the heavier aspects of American culture. Following his act was sophomore Allie Kay who put herself out there with a spoken word poem called “10 Honest Thoughts on Being Loved By A Skinny Boy” by Rachel Wily.

“I stopped looking at the good parts of American culture, and starting looking towards the bad parts, namely [fat] shaming. By performing the spoken word poem, I not only wanted to give a big “screw you” to the culture, but also send a message to everyone at Oakton, that this culture doesn’t define their worth,” says Kay.

The show took the audience around the world in 80 minutes from America to Paris to China to India and back, and the Oakton community cannot wait to take the trip again next year.