BY MAYA ZISLIN
Special to Pascack Press
MONTVALE, N.J.—The reviews are in, and the future looks bright! With the success of its Third Annual Celebration of Cultures—an event that reflects the school’s values of diversity, unity, and inclusion—Pascack Hills’ World Culture Club says it looks forward to continuing the tradition for years to come.
Held on Friday, May 2, the student-led event capped weeks of planning by social studies teacher and Asian Culture Club advisor Jane Yeam. It brought together a wealth of student organizations, including the Asian Culture Club, Black Student Union, Jewish Student Union, Latino and Hispanic Culture Club, Muslim Student Association, Student Immigrant Alliance, and World Culture Club.
Pascack Hills serves families in Montvale and Woodcliff Lake. The district’s other high school, Pascack Valley, serves families in Hillsdale and River Vale.
“As our community continues to diversify, it’s important to celebrate all the cultures and identities that make it special,” said teacher Heather Lutz, advisor to the Jewish Student Union. “It’s an honor to collaborate with other cultural clubs to find our shared commonalities and learn more about one another.”
From periods four through seven, students filled the cafeteria to enjoy an array of festivities—henna art, music trivia, calligraphy, watercolor painting, hamsa crafts, and hands-on activities about immigration and geography. Cultural food stations offered samosas, tiramisu, falafel, Haitian rice, ramen, empanadas, and more.
Preschoolers from the Early Childcare Development Program also joined the fun, performing with students from the French National Honor Society.
When the celebration first launched, Pascack Hills had just three cultural clubs: the Asian Culture Club, Latino and Hispanic Culture Club, and World Culture Club.
“It’s nice to see how much the school has diversified in demographics over the years,” said Ms. Yeam, who founded the event.
According to the New Jersey Department of Education, since 2021 the district has seen steady increases in multilingual learners and in students identifying as Asian, Latino, African American, multiracial, and Pacific Islander.
In their own words
Each club makes a unique impact on the students it serves, and the festival offered a glimpse into why the event continues to grow.
Junior Julie Rodriguez and freshman Gabby Garcia said the Latino and Hispanic Culture Club helped them become closer friends. “At first, I didn’t even know Gabby shared a similar background,” said Rodriguez. “Finding that out brought us together.” Both said they’re proud to have a space to celebrate their culture.
Sophomore Mackenzie Wright said the Black Student Union has created a sense of family for her. “I hope the new freshmen coming in each year are able to find security and a home in the Black Student Union,” she said. “That’s what I love about this club.”
Sophomore Zahraa Islam, who co-founded the Muslim Student Alliance last year, agreed. “My partner and I started this club because we think it’s really important to have safe spaces for minorities. You don’t have to be Muslim to join—everyone is welcome.”
At her booth, Islam shared dishes from her South Asian background: warm samosas, sticky-sweet dates, spiced lentil fritters, and creamy mango lassi. Her friend brought pita and lemony warak eneb, reflecting Arab culinary traditions. “There’s no such thing as ‘Muslim food,’” Islam said. “Muslims come from many cultures. I brought South Asian food because that’s who I am.”
She added that clubs like hers help represent underrepresented cultures and foster friendships.
“We connect with the world on a less religious basis, through things like social media, our fastathon, bake sales, and helping out at the food pantry,” she said. “It’s nice to have this bond—even with people who aren’t Muslim—because we’re all part of the same community.”
Maya Zislin is a student journalist for the Pascack Hills Trailblazer. She recently wrote about new teachers and the Unified Joe McNeice Sock Drive. This is her first article for Pascack Press.