By Jesse Jones
W.D. Carroll Elementary in Bernalillo will celebrate cultures from around the world on May 9, with student performances, music, food trucks and activities. The event invites families and the community to share in the school’s cultural diversity.
Running from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the kindergarten courtyard, Cultural Day brings together Carroll Elementary’s kindergarten through third-grade students for a day of performances, cultural activities and a special set by local guitarist and vocalist Gilberto Jaramillo. Open to families and the community, the event celebrates heritage and unity through music, dance and food.
What began over a decade ago as a small showcase for dual language classes has grown into a schoolwide tradition, featuring music, dance and cultural presentations that reflect the district’s diversity, with food trucks and strong community support.
According to Anna Nielsen, special education teacher at Carroll Elementary, the event helps students grow by exposing them to different cultures, especially within a district that includes many Indigenous and Latin American communities. “It bridges cultures,” she said, “and brings people together through food and music.”
According to Nielsen, this year’s event will feature food trucks including Zia Strong Snac Shack, The Munchie Truck, Simply Squeezed Lemonade and Sugar Bees Sweets. Each has agreed to donate part of their proceeds back to the school.
“Food is a good way to bring people together,” Nielsen said.
According to Nielsen, all 10 classes will perform, with third grade students bringing crowd favorites like the Cha Cha, Cupid Shuffle and La Macarena. Maura Murphy’s special education class will perform “Bendita Tu Luz.”
While full details weren’t available, Nielsen said the kindergarten classes usually bring lots of props and cute costumes, and the KERES classes, which represent the school’s Indigenous population, always share performances rooted in their culture.
Teachers choose which culture their class will celebrate, then spend time exploring its traditions in the weeks leading up to Cultural Day. Parents often pitch in by helping students make costumes.
Steeped in rich historical significance, Los Matachines de Bernalillo will perform at the event, teaching students the stories and traditions behind their religious dance.
Parents play a big role in the event, helping with costumes, practicing performances at home, and sometimes volunteering on campus. According to Nielsen, as the event approaches, excitement builds as students decorate and prepare to perform.
The audience can always learn something new from the performances. For example, last year, a first-grade class performed songs from Spain, which had personal meaning for Nielsen, as part of her family is from there.
“I think it just kind of bridges those cultures together,” Nielsen said. “And even just being exposed to different kinds of foods and music, I think it’s good to bring the community together.”