SHS’s cafeteria and Senior Commons area will be transformed into a public square of culture, entertainment and fun this Saturday, March 14 from 6-9 p.m. Ethnic Expo, an annual celebration and club fundraiser put on by Model United Nations, celebrates Solon’s cultural diversity.
There is no admission fee to get into the event, but if you want to buy the food and other items from clubs you must buy tickets from the organizers.
In an interview with Model United Nations President, Andrea Sanchez-Camacho, we discussed the ins and outs of the event and why people should attend.
Q: What exactly is Ethnic Expo?
A: Ethnic Expo is one of Model UN’s biggest fundraisers where we invite a bunch of culture clubs, other clubs here at SHS and then organizations outside to provide entertainment and food. It’s just to bring the community together while raising money. This year, we have clubs like Spanish Culture Club, Hispanic Culture Club, The Hindu Student Association, Applied Mandarin Club and Asian Cultural Club. For non-culture clubs we have clubs like FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), the American Cancer Youth Society and then Maya’s Way.
Q: What do the clubs do during the event?
A: So usually they’ll sell baked goods or other kinds of little trinkets that kind of relate to what culture they come from. All they do is just sell stuff because it’s also a fundraiser for the clubs themselves.
Q: Why does Model UN put on Ethnic Expo?
A: Obviously, the United Nations is a group of most of the countries around the world, right? So, I guess [we’re] kind of mimicking that. We want to make it a celebration of culture and community within Solon because we’re also so diverse.
Q: What’s the cost to get into Ethnic Expo?
A: We don’t ask for an admission fee. All we ask is if you want to buy food, you buy tickets.
Q: How long has the event been going on at SHS?
A: Ethic Expo has been around for more than a decade, I’m pretty sure. I think it’s close to two decades, but it’s been going on for a while.
Q: What’s the entertainment at Ethnic Expo?
A: We have a bunch of groups performing, so cultural dances from Eastern European Culture Club, a traditional Indian dance, as well as performances from Astrofusion, which is a student-led jazz fusion group.
Q: Are there any changes from this year compared to previous years?
A: This year, we have a lot more clubs. And, we’re actually going to be using the common space a lot more where in previous years, we’ve only just used the cafeteria. But we’re expecting a bigger Ethnic Expo.
Q: What effect do you think these new changes will have?
A: I think it’ll bring a lot more people in, to be honest. With all of these new setups and having a bunch of other clubs, I think it’ll draw a lot more people in besides just for cultural reasons.
Q: Why do you think people should come to Ethic Expo?
A: I think it’s a good way to kind of introduce yourself to other cultures, and to then just immerse yourself in the diversity that is in Solon, right? I think it’s really important that you kind of step out of your comfort zone, try new food— something like that.
Q: What do you think people will get out of going to Ethnic Expo?
A: I think people that attend the event get a lot of fun. I think maybe people might be a little bit apprehensive to come to a school event, but I think after leaving Ethnic Expo people have had a really, really good experience, especially because there’s so much life to it. The music is really lively, the performances are amazing and the food is just phenomenal.
