Culture festival takes root at elementary school

Westvale Elementary School has been part of West Jordan since 1967. During that time, hundreds of thousands of students have been part of the culture that makes it part of a community of its own.

“It was time to start this tradition,” PTA president Jodi Peters said, referring to the school’s first Culture Festival. “We have such a diverse student body [that] we decided we wanted to celebrate our families.”

The festival was organized by the PTA and supported by the surrounding community.

“Much of the entertainment and food showed off the diversity of our students,” Peters said. “But it also highlighted the many members of our community who make us proud of who we are.”

Families enjoyed festival-type games as well as entertainment from the BYU Living Legends. The troupe combines choreography of Native Americans with the dances of Polynesia and Latin America. Many of the dances are performed by descendants of these cultures.

“We wanted families, no matter their background or heritage, to come to the festival and get to know other people so they start to feel more comfortable,” Peters said. “Ultimately, we would like to make this festival a showcase for our students and their families where their heritage is celebrated.”