Photo and Story by John Burton
RED BANK – Whatever your heritage there seemed to be something—food, a display, children or adults in authentic costumes—to honor it at the Red Bank Primary School Friday evening.
The staff, students and parents along with the members of the Primary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) last Friday conducted its annual International Night at the school, 222 River St., featuring entertainment, performed by both students and accomplished adults, and food representing nations from around the globe.
The school has conducted the event every year since 2002, according to Jared Rumage, the district superintendent of schools. The event is designed as a school fundraiser, with this year’s proceeds intended to help finance a much-needed new playground on school grounds. In addition, the Red Bank Education Foundation was conducting a 50/50 raffle to assist in fundraising for school needs.
The main point of the evening is “a celebration of our cultures,” said Rumage
“The focus is really on the community and togetherness,” he offered. “This is what the school runs on, a sense of community.
“It shows who we are.”
Some children donned traditional costumes from native or familial background homelands. Students had worked to construct displays on the numerous countries, offering flags and history, with the projects on display in the school’s library. Performing was the Alborada Spanish Dance Company, Fords, with female members doing the traditional flamenco while wearing traditional garb. The Capoeira Sol Nascente troupe also took to the stage area to demonstrate Afro-Brazilian martial arts. Students with boys in broad-brimmed sombreros and girls in colored dresses had a chance to show off a Mexican hat dance.
But it certainly seemed as if the food was the primary draw for many as families tried choices representing a variety of nations and cultures, including cuisine from Mexico and other Latin cultures, Irish faire, as well as tastes of Italy, Portugal, Dominican Republic, among many others.
The food was donated and prepared by school families, Rumage pointed out.
“Anytime we can come together as a school community it’s a success,” said Board of Education President Carrie Ludwikowski. And given the large crowd in attendance last Friday, Ludwikowski deemed the evening a success.
And what better way to celebrate than by sharing food. Ludwikowski observed, “That’s usually the best way for us to come together, over a meal.”
Tom Russo’s wife, Dina Russo, is the school’s vice principal. He was on hand with their children daughter Manuela, who’s almost 6, and Roman, their 2 1/2-year-old son. Manuela attends the primary school and Tom said the family has come to the event for the last couple of years. “We want to show our support,” he said. Along with that support, “It’s always a good time,” he said.
