Practices Build Up To Final Multi Performances

Photo by Rhea Singh | JFK Bhangra gets ready for Multicultural Dance.

Kennedy celebrates Multicultural Month on February 25, when everyone can wear cultural attire to school. During the same week, clubs will sell cultural and general food in the amp during lunch. Aside from dressing up and food sales, officers in cultural clubs organize a performance featuring students who signed up to perform. On February 26, International Night at Kennedy, where the cultural clubs that signed up to perform will perform twice after school for parents to watch, film one of them, and put it up on YouTube. Students practice before and after school for a month leading up to the international night and the rally, performing four times. Some students are participating in multicultural practices for the first time, while other students signed up every year until senior year. Rastin Danishmand (11) joined clubs to perform for Multi for the first time. When asked about his experiences so far, he said, “Doing Multi for the first time is a little hard at first, but because there were consistent practices over the last month, it is easy to learn, and I am really confident to perform at the rally.”

Rhea Singh (12), on the other hand, participated in the rally since her freshman year. She explained, “Multi practices have been super fun! As my last year, I’m trying to make the most of it in each and every club that I’m performing in.”

This year, Singh plays a part in choreography making for some clubs. Singh expanded, “Hell week is kinda stressful, a lot of clubs are still teaching new choreo[graphy], and as a Bhangra officer, I’m trying my best to get my team to its full potential.”

Balancing the workload between classes and practices is difficult, since practices are done on students’ own time. The student’s main focus continues to be on schoolwork despite the need to practice for the rally. To balance the workload, Danishmand revealed, “My workload wasn’t really heavy for this semester in terms of homework and academics, but I set out the priorities on what I can work on first and how I can go with the flow smoothly once I finish.”

With the overload of work, students are often stressed, causing potential mental health issues. Singh maintains balance by ”sleep[ing] early and taking naps if needed”. Singh explained that she often cannot focus unless she gets enough rest and is mentally prepared before tackling the homework.

International Night and the rally are approaching quickly! Singh’s comments to all of the performances are “ Please root for all the performing clubs and show enthusiasm! Everyone has been working so hard to make Multi a fun experience, and hearing cheers from the crowd helps us put on a good show!”