The Oil City High School Diversity Club hosted a Cultural Day at the school on April 19. Club members set up table displays of 12 different countries with information about the history, language, economics, food and dress, and other facts pertinent to their chosen region.

Michelle Jones, Together We Can of Venango County Vice President and Diversity Club facilitator, along with teacher and advisor Tara Heath, organized the event by encouraging the students to present countries their families originated from or that they took a special interest in.

In an effort to involve the entire student body and to provide a teaching tool, a scavenger hunt was part of the cultural day. Students were given a page of questions about the various countries, and they had to visit each table in order to find the answers. Those that successfully answered all questions received 5 Oiler Tickets. The table presentation of Puerto Rico was voted as the Best Cultural Day Display.

Students said learning dances and tasting samples of food that originated or were specific to a particular country, were highlights of the event.

Board members from Together We Can attended the event to help with the distribution of materials and directional assistance. The first Cultural Day at OCHS was considered a success as students were heard talking about how much they are looking forward to it next year!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s May 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.