There was more room at this year’s Fox C-6 School District’s Festival of Nations event than the previous two years.
The district relocated the event to the Fox High School gym after previously holding it in the Fox C-6 Service Center, which is next to the school’s campus in Arnold.
“I feel the venue change was an excellent move,” Simpson Elementary School assistant principal Cheryl Hayes said. “There was more room for the presenters to have enough space. We had an area that the dancers could use to change clothes, and an area where other entertainers could wait before performing.
“Overall, it was a great area to have it. People had more space to move around, and there was plenty of seating for people to watch performers.”
The event celebrated the numerous countries and cultures represented by students, families and staff in the district on April 22 and was free to attend. It was organized by Fox’s educational equity committee, which is led by Guffey Elementary School assistant principal Lisa Hazard and Hayes.
Hazard said about 600 people attended the third annual Festival of Nations, which is about as many people who attended last year’s event. About 500 people attended the inaugural event in 2024.
“I always walk away from this event with my heart full of appreciation for our district and community,” Hazard said. “We live in a great school district.”
Hayes said 27 different countries and cultures were represented at the event. She said there were 47 different presentations set up through the gym, which is 15 more than last year.
Informational booths highlighting the culture and heritage of countries such as Germany, Iraq, Bosnia, South Korea, Honduras, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Liberia, Turkey, Czech Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Kosovo, India, Congo, Philippines, Afghanistan, Armenia, Russia, Nepal, China and Dominican Republic were set up throughout the gym.
“It is amazing to know more people from our community want to share their culture,” Hayes said. “It builds community for everyone.”
The event included performances by the Guffey Elementary dance group, members of the elementary district choir, Bosnian Cultural Group, Konjo Dojo Judo of Imperial, a Hispanic dance group, Panama Pacifico dance group and a violinist from Inner Ear Youth Orchestra of St. Louis. Hazard said a new performer added this year was Native American storyteller Saundi Kloeckener.
“I think it is great cultural enrichment,” Hazard said. “You see entertainment, dance and interpretation of different things, and the explanation and stories behind them. I think people like to be entertained, and it is another fun way to present cultures.”
Hayes said Kloeckener’s performance was well received.
“She played a drum while talking, and she involved some students from the audience in a Native American dance,” Hayes said. “That stood out to me as something that everyone enjoyed.”
Hazard said she noticed a lot of people around the El Salvador table.
“The students did a great job with their presentation,” she said. “They included a lot of bright colors, good imagery and important facts about their country. They also had some food and drink samples. They really engaged with the community and were excited to share their culture with everyone.”
Hayes and Hazard said the district will hold the Festival of Nations again next year, and they said the annual event has helped people realize how many different cultures are represented in the district.
Fox C-6 officials said there are 43 different languages spoken in the district and approximately 300 students who are learning English as a second language.
“I feel this has been eye-opening to those who are not inside the school district,” Hayes said. “One of the comments (on April 22) was this is one of the best things that the school district does. When I said thank you to the presenters, one presenter said, ‘Thank you for the opportunity.’ They appreciated the opportunity to be seen. That was heartwarming.”
