RE Log Spring 2023

30 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2023 The Festival of Lights RE middle schoolers celebrate Diwali A Journey through Hispanic Art and Culture RE celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month on both campuses RE’s middle school celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with an exuberant and colorful festival in November that included dozens of student performers in traditional clothing and stretched from the gymnasium to the dining hall. The event opened with Indian music and dance, a fashion show, the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and student presentations that explained Diwali’s traditions and history. Faculty Karina Buhler, Vanessa Lopez and Alissa Hirschl worked with RE parents to organize the first-time event, which included an Indian feast (chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, aloo gobi, naan and Indian sweets), traditional Indian decorations and hands-on cultural activities. An Indian dance troupe from the University of Miami also performed, and a beautiful rangoli brightened the school entrance patio. Ransom Everglades recognized Hispanic Heritage Month with lively celebrations on both campuses. Middle schoolers sang, danced and enjoyed Latin American crafts, sports, performances and food at a festival that extended – and resounded – across the Everglades Campus on Oct. 14. At the upper school on Oct. 11, the Latin American Student Association (LASA) led fellow students on a journey through Hispanic art during an assembly Dhilan Tak ’27, Shaan Tak ’29, John Holland ’29, Edward Ronan ’29 and Vinay Rajadhyaksha ’29 introduced the event in the gymnasium, and Misha Gowda ’28, Esha Nagalla ’29 and Sofiya Dewan ’29 presented historical and cultural information about Diwali. Other students helped decorate, assist with activities, create posters, dress the models and play music. that included live music by Ecuadorian guitarist Homero Gallardo. At the middle school festival, students sampled Hispanic street food: empanadas, tostones, elotes, choripan, paletas and pinchos de pollo. They made paper flowers for their hair, collaborated on an art mural inspired by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, and played dominoes and perused books by Latin American authors in the library. They also gathered to enjoy a flamenco performance and Latin American music played by the middle school vocal ensemble, strings ensemble and band. Hispanic Heritage Month at the upper school culminated in the assembly at the Lewis Family Auditorium. LASA President Barbie Hyland ’23 led off the event, whose goal was to shine a light on Latin American art and some of its most accomplished practitioners in fields including architecture, literature, filmmaking, painting, dancing and sculpting. “The best thing about this month,” she said, “is it celebrates all Hispanic countries together.” On Campus