(EDITOR’S NOTE: West Seattle High School‘s news publication Chinook shares stories/photos with WSHS on occasion; this is the most recent one we’ve received.)

Story by West Seattle High School Chinook staff
Photos by Nathan Solis
Special to West Seattle Blog

The Diversity Club at West Seattle High School hosted the Second Annual Bite of West Seattle Diversity Club Potluck last Thursday night.

More than 200 people came out for the event, which featured a variety of food dishes for sharing and nearly an hour’s worth of cultural dance performances. Attendance at this year’s event was more than double last year’s turnout. The Diversity Club put together the event in order to work towards its mission of bringing the many cultures of West Seattle High School together and to celebrate diversity.

“I was really happy with the turnout,” said club adviser Rebecka McKinney. “It really highlighted the reason Diversity Club was started in the first place, to bring different cultures together.”

All were welcome at this annual event and turnout included members of the several cultural clubs of WSHS: Diversity Club, Asian Student Union, Latino Club, Polynesian Club and Black Student Union. There were also families, staff and community members present as well as alumni.

Food went fast at the event, but there were many varieties to choose from including African American favorites such as macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and corn bread. There were also many Asian dishes including humbao, egg rolls, lumpia and Vietnamese sandwiches. Then there were Italian dishes like fettuccine and spaghetti. There were chips and salsa from the Hispanic community and many desserts to share.

“There was a lot of variety in the food and I especially liked the fried zucchini, lumpia and the fettucine alfredo,” said Diversity Club secretary and senior Rojine De Las Alas.

After enjoying food and socializing, the night’s performances began. First on the schedule was a dance choreographed and performed by the Latino Club:

The girls were met by much applause for their dance.

Next up was the Asian Club, which performed several dances including the traditional Lion Dance (above) and fan dance, as well as a Vietnamese hat dance (below) and the Filipino coconut dance and a few other selections.

The Polynesian Club did a traditional island dance with the accompaniment of club adviser and school security specialist Greg Taufaasau:

Representatives from the Black Student Union performed a modern day hip hop dance.

The night ended with the Filipino candle dance and a group effort to clean up.

“The Diversity Club spent a lot of time planning this event so we were really glad that our work paid off,” said club co-president, senior Kaily Irons-Fuda. “I hope that all of our future events are so successful and that this event continues to grow each year.”
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