2023 Cultural Extravaganza highlights local diversity

Every spring, the Cultural Extravaganza — the biggest student-led event at Newman University — comes to life for Wichita to enjoy.

The 6th annual Cultural Extravaganza was held Saturday, March 25, on the Newman campus and tapped into the broad talents of community members. From musical performances and booths to a cultural buffet and kid-friendly minigames, the day was packed with activities for everyone.

The Cultural Extravaganza is led by the Multicultural Leadership Organization (MCLO), a campus club that promotes cultural awareness, unity and leadership at Newman University.

For Michelle Tong, president of MCLO, the Cultural Extravaganza is both a chance for the city of Wichita to experience the Newman showcase of diverse groups and a chance for Newman to experience the cultural diversity within Wichita.

“Through this event, we want people to learn, celebrate and share in the diverse cultures while we continue spreading MCLO’s mission,” Tong said.

“No matter what background you have, it’s a good way for students to come together and just be one as a school, but also as a larger community,” added sophomore Sofia Loewen, who serves on MCLO’s public relations committee.

Corry Academy of Irish Dancing was one of the featured performances during MCLO's big event. — Corry Academy of Irish Dancing was one of the featured performances during MCLO’s big event.

The Cultural Extravaganza involved more than 40 volunteers, hundreds of attendees and performances that celebrated Cambodian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican and Irish cultures, among others.

Yanni Martin ‘21, a graphic design graduate, experienced the vibrant MCLO event as a student, volunteer and alumnus. This year, he was asked to model in the fashion show portion of the event.

“My parents told me I have more than 10 ethnicities,” Martin said. “I’m Creole, part European, part Asian. … So since I’ve got all this culture in me, I thought, ‘Why not represent it?’”

(From Left to right) Junior Kimfuema and Yanni Martin '21 — (From left to right) Junior Kimfuema and Yanni Martin ’21

Martin wore a blue and black dashiki, a popular tunic in West Africa that symbolizes unity and Black pride.

“During my time as an ASC scholar, one of the major concepts my professors taught me was to leave a legacy, so it’s awesome to see that the legacy is still continuing through MCLO,” Martin added.

Not only is the Cultural Extravaganza a great event for locals to learn from, but it also gives international students a taste of home, explained first-year students Nathan Galicia and Eliana Gaytan.

“It shows how open-minded we are to different cultures and that we’re not afraid to tell everyone, ‘Oh yeah, we have this at Newman,’” Galicia said.

Galicia did not expect to see so many festivities happening on campus but was pleased that it reminded him of home.

Children of all ages participated in minigames, including a balloon blast game, during the Cultural Extravaganza. — Children of all ages participated in games, including a balloon blast game, during the Cultural Extravaganza.

“At games in Texas, they’ll have dancers outside while you’re entering the game, but it’s awesome to see the Mexican culture expressed out here, especially so far from Mexico,” he said.

Gaytan is half Mexican, half Vietnamese and was thrilled to see both of her cultures highlighted at the Cultural Extravaganza.

“It actually makes me sad that I didn’t bring a traditional Vietnamese dress with me to wear,” she said. “But it’s been a lot of fun seeing everyone celebrate these cultures together.”

A full crowd joined in on the festivities during the 2023 Cultural Extravaganza at Newman University.

With her first month at Newman under her belt, Andi Giesen, interim dean of students, said she was thoroughly impressed by the event. She enjoys learning something about people and other cultures every day at Newman.

“The Cultural Extravaganza is becoming an identifying event of the Newman experience,” Giesen said. “There’s something new that they add to it each year, and it’s exciting to see how many cultures and internationalities are shown through colorful clothing, music and food. … It’s very vibrant and engaging.”

For students who may be nervous about entering college, moving to another state or having their culture represented in college, Gaytan said “there will definitely be support for them at Newman.”