Kwanzaa Fest Celebrates 35th Anniversary in Style

The Africans dancers spread across the stage and throughout the auditorium. *Photo: Jerry Li*

By COURTNEY HODGE, JERRY LI, and NANCY LEI

Midwood celebrated its 35th annual Kwanzaa Fest on December 21, led by the Black Heritage Alliance (BHA) and their advisor Ms. Marie Volcy. The auditorium was filled to the brim with students and family as tickets were sold for $5 in the lobby.

The show began with a colorful introduction of all the cast members as The Differentiated, a band made up of teachers, played a cover of “Jerusalema” and BHA co-presidents Gabrielle Laforest ‘25 and Hayden Hall ‘25 recited the Black Heritage Alliance Pledge before a performance of the national anthem.

Throughout the show, actors came out to perform “The Gift,” a story that follows twin siblings Hakeem and Mailah and their friends as they go to an antique shop to look for a Kwanzaa gift for their grandfather. When they are accidentally locked in the store, Hakeem has an accident that causes him to forget his identity, so his friends are left to teach the seven principles of Kwanzaa to help Hakeem remember himself.

“Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that was created in the 1960s by Maulana Karenga,” Hall explained. “He noticed that there wasn’t a sense of community or kinship among African Americans.”

The holiday embodies the seven principles created by Karenga, which span the seven days of the week. They include Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

The art along the walls, created by the art crew and their directors Bryanna Rambharose and Rachel Huang, brightened up the auditorium with African-American culture.

Himika Islam ‘25 said, “I love the art, and I love the attention to detail on the windows.”

Actors performed “The Gift” as a way to present the seven principles of Kwanzaa. *Photo: Continental Studios*

One powerful moment early on was an uplifting praise dance where performers in white gowns spread across the stage and down the aisles.

“I think it's wonderful,” said Ms. Tamara Reilly, an English teacher and audience member. “I was so impressed with the national anthem, the dancers are amazing, the actors are doing a great job, it’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Alumni and students also came on stage to read heartfelt poems, with each line receiving a reaction from the audience. Briana Exama, who graduated in 2016, recited a poem about Umoja.

Then came the standout African dancers, wearing colorful outfits with big feathered headpieces, who whole-heartedly danced to drums throughout the auditorium. Michayla Phillips ‘26 said, “You tell how much effort they put into it. With the dancers I was like, wow. I want to be in it next year.”

Ms. Daniella Monticciolo, a history teacher, also gave her rendition of “Respect” by Aretha Franklin by both singing and playing the guitar.

Later, an alumni-led band shook the stage with their drumline and dancers, leaving the audience in awe.

The show, which featured over 90 participants, also had models that stepped out in kente fabric clothing. Some outfits were custom made for the show. This year was special as Kwanzaa Fest introduced modern African outfits in addition to the usual traditional ones. Three history teachers, Mr. Eugene Resnick, Mr. Christopher Eisenhardt, and Mr. Nermin Cecunjanin even took part in the modeling.

The Lady Phoenix step team also performed, and the auditorium erupted as they created beats and chants.

Prior to the big day, Laforest said, “I think the show will be something that the participants can be proud of, and I think people will be very happy with the performances as well as the art.”

“I was watching it for the past two years,” said Cassandra Granger ‘25, the overall director and administrative assistant. “I wanted to do something bigger to help out and have a role that directs people. As much as it is challenging, it is rewarding as well when we go up on that stage and we show what we have done, how hard we worked for this show to come to completion.”

The students thanked their advisor, Ms. Volcy, for being there to smooth over bumps and for her patience, as they had big shoes to fill.

“The practices are thrilling, the people you work with are thrilling, just the whole show, the environment, it’s so fun, I would definitely do it again,” said Granger.