April 10, 2025 – Clovis Unified families and students got a glimpse of international culture as Clovis Online School hosted their annual Heritage Festival for families in the district.
Without hopping on any planes, students explored France, Mexico, China, and other countries on the morning of Thursday, April 10 on the front lawn of the Clovis Online School building.
Shining brightly on the lawn, the sun was outshone by the even brighter smiles of students and educators as they engaged with festival offerings, such as crafts, food, and other activities.
A group of students in the school organized the event, which united students from all over Clovis Unified.
“We started in the very beginning of the year,” explained Clovis Online School Senior Alexandra Busler. “We started planning it right away, what we wanted it to look like, we referred to last year’s, the first year’s, and saw how we wanted to improve it.”
Busler was one of several students involved in planning the event, organizing performances, planning booths, coordinating vendors and activities, and other responsibilities that displayed the group’s strong work ethic.
Attendees enjoyed performances of cultural diversity, participated in activities, browsed unique products from vendors, and savored delicious food.
The hard work of the student organizers certainly paid off. This dedication was evident in the performances, which proved to be a crowd favorite.
The Clovis East High School Folklorico dance group moved with style and precision in vibrant blue and gray dresses, and Chinese dragon dancers and Indian Bollywood dancers captured the audience’s attention as well.
While festival attendees were stunned with the skilled performers, showcasing the talents of Clovis Online School and other Clovis Unified schools alike, they also enjoyed munching on the delectable foods available at a nearby tent.
At this tent, organizers of the event offered croissants, seasoned fruit, biscotti, and other tastes of international cuisine that appealed to the audience. It wasn’t long before they ran out of many of their offerings with attendees snagging their favorite foods.
Sampling some of the foods, the prep team energetically moved around the tent, placing foods in small cupcake liners.
Principal Sean Osterberg stood nearby, smelling the wonderful aromas and observing the interactions of the students and families. He commented on the importance of these events to foster community and highlight diversity within the school district.
He stated, “I think the biggest importance [of the event] is we all have heritage, right? So we all want to celebrate where we came from, the traditions…we’re very fortunate to be with so many high schools that have dance scenes, Folklorico, the clubs and organizations.”
Beyond providing community and a celebration of heritage in the district, events like these display that online school doesn’t have to mean isolation from friends and peers.
While the pandemic made many feel as though online learning comes without connection, the heritage festival showed that that doesn’t have to be the case. Students eagerly engaged with children of all ages all around the yard in a beautiful display of friendship and unity.
Some visited the China booth, where kids were invited to place as many cotton balls as they could into a bowl using chopsticks within 30 seconds.
Others curiously looked at the beautiful designs and accessories of Tierra Y Corazón, who sold Oaxacan handmade clothing and jewelry.
Dr. Saul Salinas, Community Relations Coordinator for the district, looked on with a smile. As overseer of the Intercultural Diversity Advisory Council, part of his role is to support the students who organize the heritage festival.
Dr. Salinas’s enjoyment of the event came from “the parents, the students, and the staff all [coming] together, learn about one another, share food, share experiences, [and] share culture,” he explained. “We should know each other enough where we begin to appreciate one another for our similarities, but also for our differences.”
He remarked that he looks forward to next year’s event, which will be hosted at the Clovis Online School’s new campus across the street. With the same dedication and hard work put forward next year, it’s sure to be another successful event for Clovis Unified.