Culture Fest Beginnings by Issy Perez
Melbourne High School's IB students worked on their Culture Fest projects in preparation for the December Culture Festival. Senior Janessa Palmer had already participated in Culture Fest once before. This year marked her second time contributing to the event. She planned to focus her project on either Jamaica or Russia.
Palmer and her friends brainstormed ideas for their booth setup and gathered the ingredients they needed. They served curry chicken with rice and beans as the centerpiece of their menu. Their preparations reflected a deep commitment to representing Jamaican culture authentically. Palmer explained, “I chose to do Jamaica because I’m Jamaican and I feel like I’m very rooted in my heritage”—a sentiment that underscored her pride in her identity and her desire to share it meaningfully with others.
As the December Culture Festival drew near, Palmer and her peers embodied the spirit of global understanding and cultural pride encouraged by Melbourne High School’s IB program. They showcased their heritage through flavorful dishes, thoughtful presentations, and heartfelt storytelling. Students like Palmer invited the broader school community to experience the richness of diverse traditions. With projects like hers, Culture Fest became more than just an event—it stood as a vibrant testament to identity, inclusion, and the power of cultural exchange.
Caption: CULTURE APPRECIATION: Senior Janessa Palmer and her buddies gather in the Melbourne High School library to brainstorm decoration ideas for their upcoming Culture Fest booth. As an IB student, Palmer explored creative concepts that reflected her heritage and showcased her team’s vision. Their collaboration highlighted the spirit of innovation and cultural pride that defined the event. “I felt like it was a great way to show creativity and innovation,” Palmer said. Photo by Issy Perez.