Culturefest Brings Hundreds Together in the ACC
By Eileen Chi ’29
Culturefest Committee hosted Milton’s first “Culturefest” since 2024 and its last until 2029. A required event for upper-school students that resulted in a special schedule and shortened classes, Culturefest allows student groups and individual students to host educational workshops, artistic performances, or culinary booths related to some aspect of their culture or heritage. After check-in, students attended two blocks of workshops, which they had selected from fourteen options weeks in advance. Then, after music and dance performances, the rink opened up to all students, who could go from table to table sampling food and games from Milton’s diverse cultures.
Much like a theatre production, Culturefest had a cast that performed in front of the crowds and a crew that worked behind the scenes. On September 19, 2025, the Culturefest Committee began its preparation for the event. The committee, a subcommittee of the DEIJ Student Board, worked tirelessly to ensure Culturefest ran smoothly. The committee met weekly to plan logistics, create table head application forms, and communicate with workshop leaders.
Davey Glazer ’28, a student member of the committee and a coordinator for the performance portion of the day, organized “student performers, creat[ed] presentation materials, [held] multiple planning meetings, and [ran] a full rehearsal and a day-of warm-up.” Glazer’s contribution was just one among many that lifted Culturefest to new heights. Meghanaa Balasubramani ’27, for instance, served as the primary point of contact for many table heads. Balasubramani explains, “I was assigned to four tables, where I helped ensure they stayed on track, had the decorations they requested, and knew they could rely on me for support.” Balasubramani and Glazer’s work went beyond preparation; they were also two of the five emcees running the program, introducing performers, and designing the presentation. DEIJ Director Dr. Melissa Lawlor, who oversees the entire event, said that Culturefest “is a massive coordination, and it takes a lot of checkpoints along the way.”
Although the event ran smoothly, some organizers encountered challenges along the way. Anna Avdiu ’29, one of the heads of the Albanian table, noted that she struggled “finding materials for [her] table. For example,” she continued, “other tables could find their materials on Amazon, but our table couldn’t because no one sells the stuff that we needed.” Avdiu solved this problem by bringing authentic artifacts and objects from her house. Glazer said that, for Culturefest, just like “any large-scale event, there were logistical challenges and details to manage along the way.” However, after hearing positive reviews of the event, he noted that the challenges were worth it because the outcome was so successful. Balasubramani highlighted other obstacles in logistical planning: “Imagine the [number] of restaurants that need to be contacted, the ingredient lists that have to be determined, the decorations that have to be bought…the workshops that have to be organized, and the meetings we need to hold with literally everyone participating in Culturefest.” Rather than slowing down, the organizers adapted and collaborated with each other to overcome the challenges. With obstacles resolved, the event itself allowed everyone to focus on celebrating culture, learning, and uniting the Milton community.
Beyond the food and celebration, Culturefest, at its core, highlighted the important values of unity, understanding, and appreciation between different cultures. From cheering loudly during student performances to learning traditional dance routines, students found joy beyond the classroom on April 14. Laughter echoed through the halls as music, banners, and tradition turned an ordinary school day into an unforgettable experience. For students inspired by moments like these, participants in the Culturefest committee and Dr. Lawlor suggest staying true to yourself, connecting with your culture, avoiding the fear of judgment from others, and sharing experiences outside your usual circle. Through such behavior, they say, any student can positively impact Milton’s community. The premise of Culturefest is that, when different cultures are celebrated, the school becomes stronger, more connected, and more welcoming. Though most Milton upper-school students will have graduated by the next time Culturefest comes to town, this year’s event has doubtlessly left many others excited for when that day comes.