Language students sing, dance and cook for Bob Jones International Festival

MADISON – Food, fashion and dance gave a taste of other countries at the annual International Festival at Bob Jones High School.

Shrader Griffith, a language student at Bob Jones High School, oversees the Mexican buffet at the International Festival. (CONTRIBUTED)

Students of French, Latin, Spanish and German hosted the celebration on Nov. 21 in Zompa Auditorium.

Along with showcasing students’ talents and language proficiency, the festival was “a celebration of languages and cultures,” Lesa Clough said. Clough teaches Spanish and serves as chairperson of the World Language Department.

“Hopefully, students who aren’t studying a language can see the benefits and see how much fun it can be to learn a second language,” Clough said.

Their smorgasbord offered bratwurst, kraut, schnitzel and Black Forest cake from Germany, along with Italian bruscetta, olive tapenade and cheeses. For French cuisine, crepes, quiche, cream puffs and eclairs were served.

Among the other dishes were Mexican dulce de leche cake and churros, egg rolls and fortune cookies from China and Greek humus, pita chips and cheesecakes.

For entertainment, Lauryn Rody recited her original poem, “Heritage, ” and Denise Whitmore read “A Cajun Night Before Christmas.” On piano, Samuel Jackson played a song medley.

Girls in French Club wore flamboyant ruffles to dance the can-can. Other dance numbers included Suzi Day with jazz to “Crazy Kids” and Julie Cunningham’s hip-hop, ‘popping’ and salsa to a mix of “Senorita,” “Upgrade You” and “Lose Control.”

French Club members kick high in the can-can at the International Festival. (CONTRIBUTED)

On trumpet, McKenna Wilson and Paul Hunt played the Spanish national anthem, “Marcha Real” and “Bolero.” Singing in Russian, guitarist Asiya Muk performed “You Aren’t With Me.” Guitarists Caleb Strahler and Hayden Miller delivered “Du Hast” by German metal band Rammstein.

The German Club’s skit, “Rapunzmann,” retold Rapunzel’s tale. The Latin Club presented “Orpheus & Eurydice,” a Roman myth.

Students wore fashions from these countries, along with Vietnam, Morocco, Philippines, India, Nairobi, Bangladesh and the Renaissance period.

Language teachers are Raymond Congo, Latin; Jennifer Bruni, German; Angela Mooney, French; and Hope Davis, Rebecca Perry, Brenda Castaneda and Lesa Clough, Spanish.

In addition, students collected donations for Red Cross relief to tsunami survivors.