By Forum Staff
On Friday, more than 300 Police Athletic League children from PAL’s Goldie Maple Academy and Edward Byrne Center in Far Rockaway and Jamaica, respectively, and from centers throughout the city gathered for Cultural Day, held at the PAL Harlem Center.
From the colorful celebration of the Lantern Festival in China to the glitz and glamour of Carnaval in Brazil, PAL children in 3rd and 4th grades celebrated and shared PAL’s Cultural Day theme, “Festivals from Around the World.”
This year’s Cultural Day highlights included a banner and chant parade with young people carrying homemade banners from their PAL centers and performing a creative chant, interactive booth displays where the PAL youngsters shared the knowledge of the country they studied, in addition to performances with young people in costumes. PAL’s Goldie Maple Academy and
Edward Byrne Center represented Ghana and the Bahamas at Cultural Day.
Through PAL’s 2023 curriculum theme, “Festivals from Around the World,” participants discovered and explored the rich culture of their selected country through that country’s largest festival. Participants at each PAL center dedicated time to learning about the cultural or religious significance of their selected festival, as well as the language, food, music, costumes and traditions of the country/territories represented. Country/territories at PAL’s Cultural Day included: Spain, Bahamas, Ghana, Barbados, United States, Trinidad & Tobago, China, Croatia, Belize, Mexico, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, Grenada, and Brazil.
Photo Courtesy of Love Haight Photography
Members of Far Rockaway’s Goldie Maple Academy celebrate PAL Cultural Day at PAL Harlem Center.
“Every camper was so excited to share what they had learned and discovered about the culture and roots of the festival they selected. It was wonderful to see all of the incredible enthusiasm, and creativity on display! It was an excellent example of what happens when you center young people’s talents and interests,” said Meredith Gray, Police Athletic League director of Education & Training.
“I learned about the Bahamian flag, that it’s black, gold and aquamarine, and what it symbolizes. We’re going to share what we learned about the Goombay Bahamas festival. I’m excited for Cultural Day, and I know I’m going to have fun,” added Demetri, 10, of PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in Jamaica.
Awards for PAL’s Cultural Day included: Best Banner & Chant – PAL’s Edward Byrne Center; Best Interactive Booth – PAL’s PS 13 on Staten Island; Best Performance – PAL’s Edward Byrne Center. Overall Cultural Day Awards were given to: PAL’s Edward Byrne Center – 1st Place; PAL’s Harlem Center – 2nd Place; and PAL’s Wynn Center in Brooklyn – 3rd Place.
