Angelo Boujaoude (left), founder of the Moorestown High School Cultural Crossroads Club, and Sandro Boujaoude, the club’s vice president, at the school’s recent Cultural Crossroads Festival.
The Moorestown High School Cultural Crossroads Festival recently brought together hundreds of students, parents, faculty and residents in a celebration of culture, heritage and unity.
Hosted by the school’s Cultural Crossroads Club, the event featured 14 cultural stations and presentations. Participants included the Asian Heritage Club, French Club, Spanish Club, Muslim Students United Club, Jewish Heritage and Culture Club, Combustible Lemons and UNICEF Club. There were also student-run showcases on Lebanese and Egyptian culture and cuisine.
Community organizations such as the Moorestown Rotary breakfast and lunch clubs, the Moorestown Lions and Moorestown Muslims also were represented to highlight both cultural identity and humanitarian work.
Guests were invited to take a taste of the world with a variety of traditional dishes and informative displays. Attendees visited each table, asked questions and engaged presenters in conversations.
“One of the most unique and beautiful things about Moorestown is its rich cultural diversity,” said high-school junior Angelo Boujaoude. “I started the Cultural Crossroads Club because I believe celebrating our differences is what ultimately brings us closer. Seeing the cafeteria so full of life, people learning, laughing and enjoying food together, was everything I had hoped for.
“This event wasn’t just about showcasing culture; it was about building bridges across our community.”
The evening concluded with a Flamenco performance whose performers not only demonstrated their passion and technical skill, but also took time to explain the rich history of the dance. Students and audience members were invited on stage to learn basic steps and clap along to the rhythm.
“This event reminded us how powerful cultural exchange can be,” Boujaoude noted. “Whether you were sharing your heritage or learning about someone else’s, everyone walked away with a little more understanding, compassion and appreciation.
“That’s the heart of what the Cultural Crossroads Club is all about.”
