Monday, May 16, 2022
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Food and Recipes
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Food and Recipes
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Towns Colonie

We’re all one of U.S. – South Colonie Schools Festival to celebrate differences and similarities

Jim Franco by Jim Franco
March 14, 2018
in Colonie, Culture, News, Schools, The Spot, Towns
Reading Time: 3 mins read

COLONIE —  Sixth grader Zorawar Mohal wears a turban, just like men who practice Sikhism have done since the 15th century.

His classmates at Sand Creek Middle School, though, don’t know the history and significance of the turban, or and the fact men of the Sikh religion do not cut their hair. As such he was often bullied or made fun of.

Zorawar and Barvander Mohal near the Sikh table.
Jim Franco/Spotlight News

That is why Mohal put so much time and effort into an informational booth about Sikhism at the South Colonie Multicultural Festival on Friday, March 8, at Sand Creek Middle School.

“Basically, I want to show people about my religion and try and teach them how it works and why we wear a turban,” he said while sitting in front of a plethora of informational snippets and photos about the Sikhism and it’s rich history.

His mother, Barvander Mohal, said her son is one of only six Sikh children in the middle school and feels the event is a perfect opportunity to learn about all different cultures and religions not just Sikhism.

“Everyone who came by the booth is so friendly and the people who did come now know the meaning of Sikh and why it is so important to wear the turban,” she said, while men of the religion wrapped the heads of those willing in the religion’s headdress.

To view a photo gallery of the festival click here. 

The now-annual Multicultural Festival started with a small potluck party held by April Mlambi, an English as a New Language instructor at South Colonie, and it has since grown to filling the Sand Creek gym with more than 20 different cultures showcasing their unique food, dance, dress and history.

“Today’s political climate aside, I think clearly, when you see the support we have from our families and community members, people want the opportunity to share their culture and feel proud of where they come from wherever that may be,” she said at the event while draped in a South African flag and shouting over bagpipes blaring in the background.

Her husband is a Zulo from South Africa, she said, so she considers herself an honorary South African.

About five years ago 17-year-old Katherine Weng came to the Capital District from China and used to attend the pot luck dinners with her family.

“We all come from different countries and we really don’t know each other,” said the Colonie high senior who spent a good part of the day manning the China booth. “For me I like to learn about all the different cultures because if I know their culture I will feel closer to the people of that culture.”

Riley Rourke, a fifth grader, was manning the booth about Australia, the native land of his father, Ian.

“It’s pretty fun to look at all the things people have and what people do and what their culture is like,” he said from the shadow of a stuffed kangaroo.

Rafi Topalian, known as Rafi the Singing Jeweler, is an organizer for the Festival of Nations and was on hand at Sand Creek to sing four national anthems in the respective country’s native tongue as well as “God Bless America.”

“We are here to celebrate our differences but we also celebrate our similarities,” he said. “We are all Americans, and prejudice comes from pre-judging, and education is what we need to defeat anger and hatred. When you learn we are more the same than we are different we will all be in better shape.”

Shaunna Pastusza, a seventh and eighth social studies teacher decked out in the traditional attire of her native Poland, echoed the same sentiments.

“We want to build bridges between the various communities. Here at Sand Creek we have a very diverse group of kids and we realize how important it is to celebrate each other, and get to know each other, and promote peace and harmony,” she said. “That’s what it really boils down to.”

Tags: South Colonie Multicultural Festival
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

Bethlehem vets salute town heroes

Next Post

Clarksville sale seems imminent

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Photo/Albany Diocese

Former St. Thomas Priest and National Boy Scout Chaplain Father Gregory Weider placed on Albany Diocese list of credibly accused

May 15, 2022
Submitted photo

All winners at High School Musical Theatre Awards

May 15, 2022

BCSD school board candidate: John Walston

May 14, 2022

BCSD school board candidate: Robert Tietjen

May 14, 2022

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Colonie police: Albany man assaulted officer after pushing infant across Central Avenue in a stroller

May 8, 2022

SPOTTED: Sand Creek Cast & Crew presents Seussical Jr.

May 13, 2022

SPOTTED: Bethlehem girls beat Shen; remain undefeated in Suburban Council play

May 11, 2022

COVID cases continue to spike

May 10, 2022
Photo/Albany Diocese

Former St. Thomas Priest and National Boy Scout Chaplain Father Gregory Weider placed on Albany Diocese list of credibly accused

May 15, 2022
Submitted photo

All winners at High School Musical Theatre Awards

May 15, 2022

BCSD school board candidate: John Walston

May 14, 2022

BCSD school board candidate: Robert Tietjen

May 14, 2022
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Log In
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
  • Service Directory

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949