Natomas High Celebrates Community’s Diversity

Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern

Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern

Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern

BY OJASWI ADHIKARI, NHS INTERN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas High School hosted its 5th annual multicultural night Tuesday to celebrate the school’s diversity.

The two-hour event featured student performances and student clubs sold food such as Indian samosas, Filipino lumpia, Mexican enchiladas, German chocolate cake, and Chinese dumplings. About 150 students, parents and community members attended the festivities.

“I believe that having such a diverse campus gives our students an opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and be more accepting of them,” said Jenna Boller, activities director at Natomas High. “Our students are able to understand different viewpoints and ideas because of our rich culture.”

Despite a decline in enrollment at Natomas High, ethnic diversity at the school is on the rise.

A 2012 report by Business Insider cited Natomas zip 95834 as being among the top 10 most diverse in the country. Last year, in 2013, a story by NPR reported “race and ethnic groups are more evenly distributed (in Natomas) than in most places, meaning residents are more likely to encounter people who are different.”

In 2009, the south Natomas campus was named the second-most diverse school in the nation, according to the California Department of Education.

State data shows Natomas High’s 1,094 students include 50 percent Latinos, 22 percent African Americans, 8percent North and South Asians, as well as 2 percent Filipinos. Some of the languages spoken on campus include Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Nepalese and Russian.

“I feel very accepted and feel like I fit in with my friends because we all have different backgrounds and are from different cultures,” said senior Sadia Iyyaz,17. “I meet new people and experience so many cultures without ever leaving Natomas.”

Popular performances during multicultural night included the Natomas High Drum Corps and Hueman dancers, a Northern California dance group.

“I enjoyed the different cultures and the emphasis made on the diverse community,” said Adrian Perez, founder of Sac Latino magazine. “The diversity of Natomas changes students perspectives, and students feel more comfortable in a school with varied ethnicities.”

Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern

Photo by Jeremiah McWright, NHS intern