Students Association of Buffalo Grove High School showcase Asian Culture

Rajinder Singh Mago

CHICAGO: The Indian American students of Buffalo Grove High School, a suburb of Chicago, participated in a school event where Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and culture were highlighted.

The event featuring Asian food and culture was held on March 10, 2023, at the school. Karanvir Singh Saini a senior-year student at the school spearheaded the Indian student’s participation. The Asian Students Association event had a variety of delicious food from local, independently owned vendors covering Indian, Chinese, Thai, Korean & Japanese cuisine.

The showcase kicked off with an opening address by Buffalo Grove High School Principal Mr. Jeff Wardle, followed by addresses from other key speakers and performances by students. Student performances included Bollywood Dance, Bharatnatyam, Hao Dance, Soribeat Gayaguem Ensemble, Tinikling, and Soribeat.

Sikh American students set up an exhibition showcasing the Sikh contribution as British Indian soldiers to World Wars 1 & 2 in the battles in Europe and North Africa through multiple Display Boards giving information on their history& sharing details with the audience, as well as, answered the queries including a discussion with High School Principal Jeff Wardle.

The information was educational and interesting for the World Religions and Social Science teachers. There were students of Indian origin from other schools as well and their families who visited the Sikh Exhibition said that they were not aware of the contribution of Sikhs in World Wars. People were amazed to know the history of Sikhs. Even the School Principal Jeff Wardle said he did not know anything about it.

Reading the quotations from these posters by non-Sikhs was attraction to many readers.  “In the last two world wars, 83,0005 turban-wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, during shell fire with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith.”  This quotation is by General Sir Frank Messervy that he wrote in his book “The Sikh Regiment in the Second World War”.

Few parents and grandparents also shared the stories they had heard from their ancestor who served in the World Wars.

This event inspired students to be proud of their Asian culture and heritage. There were musical and dance performances by Korean Students. Indian origin girl students performed dances on Hindi songs from several Bollywood movies.