Heritage Night at Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School brought together more than 1,000 students, families, staff, and community members for an evening celebrating cultures from around the world.
Through a collaborative effort, staff and families transformed classrooms into “continents” featuring global cuisine, performances, art, and hands-on experiences. Visitors sampled dishes contributed by local restaurants and families, including bruschetta prepared by Kaitlin Austin’s Foods class at T.C. Roberson High School. The attendees completed a scavenger hunt designed to guide them through sights, sounds, and tastes from around the globe.
“Heritage Night places value on each student and offers a meaningful way for our school to connect with families,” said Koontz Title I teacher Julie Wimbish. “It’s powerful to see students not only learning about other cultures, but proudly sharing their own.”
Students played a central role in the event. Musical performances included chorus, band, strings, drumming, a flower parade, and dancing. Each student also completed a heritage project representing their own culture. This year, students created individual “quilt squares,” which were combined into collaborative quilts displayed throughout the building.
“I'm extremely proud of how everything unfolded,” said Edefilia Tejada, fifth grade teacher and Family Engagement Team member. “Our students engaged deeply by exploring and sharing different traditions, such as foods, handicrafts, songs, dances, and customs. The collaboration with colleagues and families was invaluable, and I was delighted to see parents capturing the event with joy. It was a beautiful experience that fostered intercultural understanding and respect across our community.”
As Koontz’s largest and most anticipated annual event, Heritage Night continues to strengthen connections between school and home while celebrating the unique backgrounds of every student.
