- March 16, 2025
Photo by Hannah Hodge
Jose Cortes, Alexander Procek, Jesus Duran, Gabriel Fonseca represent Mexico. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Segui Olivera, Jaden Barbosa-Muller, Caleb Barbosa-Muller, Olivia Dias, Marissa Jesus. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Nathan Gilliam and his wife, Christina Gilliam. A resident of Palm Coast for 20 years, Christina Gilliam is from Colombia and is the organizer of event. Photo by Hannah Hodge
JROTC color guard. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Logan Adams, Alexis Chandlee, Letty Bartolome, Tristan Lee. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas cheer squad: Gracie Simonsen, Riley Marsden, Amara Valdes, Paola Veloso, Summer'Lynn Gardner, Madison Laureano, Haley Olson. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Joy Rodrigue. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Photo by Hannah Hodge
Julia Lightfoot. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Devyn Duchak and Lauryn Boone represent Panama. Photo by Hannah Hodge
The Matanzas High School Multicultural Festival on March 12 was a school-wide event that showcased the work of students in language, art, music, culinary, English and math classes as well as school clubs.
The festival included music from the Matanzas band and the school's Blue Steel band. The JROTC color guard and the national anthem opened the event followed by a cheerleading welcome.
Students produced art displays representing cultures from around the world. Christina Gilliam's Spanish 2 and 3 honors classes presented displays featuring 21 Spanish-speaking countries, Dances Around the World, the Day of the Dead and Heritage Writing. AICE Spanish classes presented Education in Hispanic Countries. Spanish 1 classes displayed Menus Around the World.
School cultural clubs included the African American Mentorship Program, the European Club and the Hispanic Club. Palm Coast cultural clubs that participated included the African American Cultural Society, the Hispanic American Cultural Society and the Portuguese Club. The culinary department sold food representing cuisine from around the world.
The event also included a scavenger hunt, games and prizes. Black Mango Band, DJ Frank Novak and Hanna-Maria Kruhliak provided entertainment.
"The Multicultural Festival was a great success and we had a wonderful turnout," said Gilliam, who led the event this year.
