Images from author.
The multicultural assembly recently occurred during school on April 10th, 2025, featuring many cultural clubs from Washington High School. At this showcase, students get to display routines that they have been working on since the beginning of the year. This assembly featured the following clubs: ALAS, Filipino Student Union (FSU), Indian traditional arts club, Dance Co., WHS Taal, and Polynesian Club. Students from these following clubs have been interviewed to talk about their culture and what they performed the week of “This is Us” week.
FSU performed their extravagant act filled with complicated moves, and sophisticated coordination. The use of sticks, or the form of dance called tinikling, is an intricate style of dance which not only involves hand-eye coordination, but also the ability to trust your other members. Lauren Jewell, a member of FSU, states that “You need to be able to move quickly so that your feet don’t get caught up in the sticks, and you need to be coordinated with the person that you’re dancing with.” Not only is the dance very entertaining, but the costumes showcase the beautiful Filipino culture. Lauren describes the clothing as “Vibrant, diverse, and deeply tied to the country’s rich heritage. They reflect the Philippines’ mix of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial influences, and regional identities.”
WHS Taal brings the fire to the audience by performing a five-minute routine filled with flips, swords, masks, and energy. Daksh More, a member of Taal, describes the dance as a “very energetic routine where each person has a significant role to a part of the dance.” Whether it be assisting people with props or lifting people up, Taal has a significant amount of trust in their members, causing them to work well while performing together. Taal’s mix consists of a variety of different dance styles from Bollywood, to hip-hop, to Kuthu (a South Indian dance style), and lastly to Bhangra (a Punjabi dance style). Each one tells a different story as the dancers perform with grace and enthusiasm.
The Polynesian club ends the Multicultural assembly with a relaxing finale coming from Polynesian culture. Zedrick Bernardez, the president of the Polynesian club, describes this dance as “A way of expression. It’s all based on how smoothly and elegantly you move. The key movements are more relaxed.” The clothing worn by the dancers is Pareos, which is a traditional skirt tied around the dancer’s waist. The dancers, dressed in their vibrant pareos, truly bring the spirit of Polynesian to life through their fluid movements. Each motion tells a story, reflecting the deep connection to the land, the ocean, and the culture itself. This dance also featured our college and career counselor, Ms. Isezaki! Along with the other members, Ms. Isezaki showcased a beautiful performance as she embodied the peacefulness wound in the dance.
Overall, the Multicultural Assembly at Washington High School was a vibrant celebration of diverse cultures, showcasing the hard work and dedication of students who have spent months preparing their performances. From the energetic and coordinated routines of FSU and Taal, to the expressive Polynesian dance of the Polynesian Club, each performance showcased unique traditions and stories that shape our world.
Arya Khadilkar is a current junior at Washington High School and she has lived in Fremont her entire life. This is her first year working on The Hatchet and she is very excited to interview people and write about news around the school. She is one of the captains of Washington High School’s Bollywood dance team, Taal, and loves expressing her art through dance. When she’s not dancing, she enjoys reading, singing, and playing with her Siberian Husky. Arya isn’t too sure about her major yet, but she’s certain that she wants to go to college in the near future.