The music is loud, the steps are sharp, and the energy fills the room. At Mount Tahoma High School, cultural dance practices are more than rehearsals—they are a place where students express who they are and where they come from. Through my Mount Tahoma TV segment, I got the chance to visit different cultural clubs and see how students prepare their traditional dances and what it feels like to be part of a club that represents their roots.

Each club practices with a lot of focus and heart. Students work hard to learn steps that have been passed down through families and communities. Some dances take weeks to perfect, while others are created by students themselves, blending tradition with creativity. Even during long practices, there is laughter, teamwork, and support. As one description from the segment shared, it is “a very fun and special day at Mount Tahoma, one of the happiest days to spend love and positivity.”

Clubs also shared what it’s like to be part of their group. Many students said their club feels like a second family. Older members help new ones learn the dances, and everyone works together to improve. This collaboration shows our school’s values of belonging and respect. No matter your background, these spaces welcome students who want to learn, support each other, and honor different cultures.

One highlight of the segment was footage from Intercultural Family Night. During this event, families and students come together to celebrate through performances, food, and community connection. Seeing different cultures share the same space reminds us how diverse Mount Tahoma truly is. It also reflects values like empathy, kindness, and honoring our cultures, not just in words, but through action.

At Mount Tahoma, culture isn’t something kept quiet. It’s danced, shared, and celebrated. These clubs show courage by performing proudly and creativity by telling stories through movement. In the end, the takeaway is simple: when we support each other’s voices and cultures, our whole community grows stronger. Moments like these give our school hope and remind us why being a T-Bird is something to be proud of.

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