CARLSBAD — In what has become an annual tradition, a Carlsbad elementary school was transformed for a day into a global, interactive experience representing more than 30 countries and cultures.
Hope Elementary School hosted hundreds of parents, family members and others from the community on Feb. 5 as part of “Hope Around the World.”
Nicole Medrano, president of the school’s parent-teacher association, founded Hope Around the World in 2023, she said, “to create a space where families could share their cultures and feel seen and celebrated.”
“It’s parent-powered, inclusive, and centered on building connection across our diverse Hope community,” Medrano said.
This year’s event featured performances by the Performing Folkdancers of Balboa Park, Japanese taiko drumming, Afro-Brazilian capoeira, Polynesian and Samoan dancing, and an interactive African drumming circle led by Chazz Ross, according to an event spokesperson.
Students also worked on a mural with Persian Place, a nonprofit organization based in Carlsbad that celebrates art and culture from the titular region. The mural is scheduled to be displayed at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Additionally, students collected stamps, learned customs of various cultures, ate food from around the world and participated in other hands-on activities.
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians supported the event with a $3,000 grant.
Andrew Gergurich, the school’s principal, expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the Rincon Band helped foster and develop “our students’ sense of curiosity, belonging, and global awareness.”
“Hope Around the World gives our students a powerful opportunity to learn from one another and appreciate the many cultures represented at our school,” Gergurich said.
