News Detail
Stag Café Goes International
The Stag Café went international on Tuesday night with a multifaceted celebration of the many cultures represented at Shawnigan.
Since she arrived at the School last year, Grade 12 student Anastasiia S. has wanted to implement more cultural events because they help students adapt to a new environment by sharing their culture with their peers, while other students have a chance to get to know the international students better. Initially, the idea for this event was a night for students to share their cultures, but it quickly evolved into a larger event with food and music that was embraced by the student body.
“Food is one of those things that represent culture,” Anastasiia said. “It’s at the frontline of culture.”
Eight different countries were represented on the menu: Anastasiia’s homeland of Ukraine, Canada, the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Afghanistan, Egypt and Taiwan. Even more countries were represented as students brought music from their home countries or cultures to the Friesen Centre, including Turkey, Korea, France and Ireland.
“Diversity is so important at our school, and we have to appreciate and celebrate it,” Anastasiia emphasized.
The concert came together just the day before the cultural celebration, one of a few last-minute adjustments as Anastasiia and her fellow organizers had to change the menu on Monday as well. Throughout the process, Anastasiia got lots of support from her fellow students, entrepreneurship teacher Ms. Mariel Solsberg, who is responsible for the Stag Café, and music teacher Mr. Vince Hale.
“The event was very successful because of the people,” Anastasiia said
That is an understatement, as students lined up until the food sold out in just two hours.
All the money raised from the International Stag — and from the sale of Ukrainian flag pins — will go to causes in Ukraine. Anastasiia researched extensively which charity she wanted to donate the funds to; she wanted to make sure it was legitimate and that the money wouldn’t go to military causes. She ended up selecting “Come Back Alive,” an organization that supplies specially equipped medical vehicles that evacuate soldiers from the frontlines.
“For me it was a perfect solution,” she said.
Anastasiia is hoping to organize more cultural events until she graduates from Shawnigan in June. Although she won’t be back to make sure it becomes a tradition at the School, it’s quite possible that International Food Day will return to the Stag in 2024-25.
“I’ve already heard from people who want to do it again next year,” Anastasiia said with a smile.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
