During period 4 on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the cafeteria was packed with students cheering, clapping and enjoying a cultural showcase hosted by the South Asian Student Association. It wasn’t your average school assembly, it was a talent show filled with music, dance and traditional outfits from across South Asia.
There were 12 main performances, including a South Indian dance led by Ms. K. and a group of students. Four student MCs kept the energy high throughout the event. “It felt like bringing everyone into a space where culture wasn’t just seen, but felt,” said Anushka Malik, one of the grade 11 hosts. “We didn’t just want to perform, we wanted them to connect, whether they were South Asian or not.”
The cafeteria was full; students filled every seat and many stood in the back dressed in their culture’s clothing, as they could be seen wearing kurtas, sarees and lehengas.
Putting it all together took weeks. They held both online and in person auditions which gave students options for how they could audition. Rehearsals were tough, especially since the stage was being used for the MAMMA MIA! musical the week before, so there wasn’t any time to practice. “We literally only got ten minutes before the event to practice the fashion show,” Malik said.
Still, Malik said seeing the audience react positively made it all worth it. “So many people came up to me afterward saying they loved the performances, the MC-ing, the whole thing,” she added. She hopes to bring something even bigger next year and even more representation from different parts of South Asia.
“I was dancing along backstage, honestly,” she admitted.
Gurneer Mangat, another one of the student MCs, said putting everything together was a fast process. “We started planning seriously after March break, picked the acts in April and just went for it,” they said. They added that the club tried to support performers instead of turning anyone away. “Instead of rejecting people, we gave them tips on how to improve their performances,” Mangat explained.
One big challenge? A few guest performers couldn’t make it due to insurance issues with the school board. But they rolled with it and added a fashion show at the last minute. Mangat also gave a shout out to Ms. K., the Gujarati Student Society, and Stage Crew for helping everything go smoothly.
“We hope students left feeling proud of their heritage,” they said. “It’s important to celebrate who we are.”
Overall, the event was more than just a performance; it was a way for students to see themselves represented, learn about each other’s cultures and just have fun together. Thanks to Anushka Malik, Gurneer Mangat, the other MCs, and the rest of the South Asian Student Association, this became one of the most memorable events of the school year.
THE NORTH STAR 