YAKIMA, Wash. – Yakima Valley College held its first ever culture fair on campus, offering a vibrant showcase of diverse cultures through music, fashion, and food. The event, part of the college’s diversity series, aimed to foster exposure, representation, and unity within the community.
Tenya Moravec, the director of strategic initiatives for equity and organizational development, organized the event. She emphasized the importance of the fair.
“We are not only exposing our campus community to the diverse cultures we have here in the Yakima Valley but also bringing community members and different community groups and organizations onto our campus to really start or continue strengthening partnerships within the community,” she said.
The fair featured various performances, including a fashion show by Eisenhower High School’s Asian and Pacific Islanders student group. They showcased traditional Filipino clothing, which held personal significance for the students.
“I felt really connected to being able to wear clothing that like my great grandmother’s and my all my ancestors got to wear. And it helped me learn more about myself and my culture. And so it was really nice. I felt very connected with myself,” one student said.
The Yakama Nation’s Little Swans also participated, performing traditional dances from their tribe. Tiara Price expressed the importance of these performances.
“[The dace] show that we still have our culture and that we’re showing on what’s happening right now. I’m trying to keep our culture with us,” she said.
The event welcomed everyone to share their culture and family history. The event highlighted the significance of community unity.
“I think it’s important that we stick together as a community and we need to spread those histories. Those like the clothing, for example. It’s important that we spread this kind of idea that we’re not just here for, you know, just being together, but it’s also to show our history,” a student with the Asian and Pacific Islander club said.
The culture fair at Yakima Valley College is just the beginning of a week-long celebration. Tomorrow, the Grandview campus will host another culture fair, and the week will conclude with a Black History luncheon on Thursday.
