San Luis High School (SLHS) hosted its annual Diversity Day on March 28. What a wonderful way for the school to celebrate the community’s rich heritage by showcasing different genres of music, dance and food.
San Luis High Principal Chan Meas kicked off the event by welcoming esteemed parents and family members, valued community members and distinguished guests on behalf of the dedicated staff and students. He stated that it was his honor to serve as the principal of San Luis High School and Los Banos Adult Education. He continued on with what a pleasure it was to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions and talents that make our community so unique.
Chan expanded on the theme by saying, “Diversity is more than just recognizing different backgrounds; it is about embracing the perspectives, experiences, and skills that each individual brings. In today’s interconnected world, diversity plays a crucial role in shaping careers and opportunities.
“Whether in business, healthcare, technology or the arts, workplaces thrive when they value cultural awareness, inclusivity, and collaboration. By celebrating diversity today, we are preparing our students for success in a global society, where understanding and respecting different cultures can open doors to limitless possibilities.”
He continued by stressing, “Today’s event is not just a showcase of talent—it is a testament to the power of unity in our differences. We are proud to highlight the incredible skills of our youth, and we are grateful for the unwavering support of our parents and community, who help make this possible.”
Chan recognized the special guests in the audience who came to support this event, including School Board Members Anthony Parreria, Gene Lieb and Lori Gatusso; the Director of Fiscal Services and her team members: Annesh Songu, Analisa Hernandez, Veronica Partida, Jennifer Canchola and Clarissa Jimenez, and the Director of Student Services Felipe Merez.
Mr. Andrew Marson took over as the emcee and introduced the talented group Dance Explosion with their set of high-energy dance performances ranging from hip-hop to jazz and ballet. The costumes were spectacular, and the performances energized the audience.
The next dance group was Folklorica Yolotly. The colorful dresses and dances showcased the vibrant traditions in the music and folkloric dancing of this culture. To multiply the fun, the dancers invited community members to dance with them and get a mini-workout. Their dances are a community favorite.
Next on the agenda was a time to relax and refuel with a delicious meal of various dishes that further highlights the eating pleasures of diversity.
Marson introduced the group Danza Azteca who performed several powerful cultural dances showing the Aztec heritage. The strong beat of the drum along with the flute created the Aztec background music. The costumes, headbands and dances were a beauty to observe.
The event closed out with San Luis High School’s student band, Weekend Morning. It was led by the school’s music instructor, Mr. Andrew Soli, who fine-tuned the students’ talents. The SLHS students were Samuel Rivera and Jose Orozco. Rounding out the band was Pacheco High School student Ricardo Jesus. A great end to a beautiful event with some rockin’ tunes!
A special thank you to the SLHS Soroptimist S club members and volunteers for the colorful table decorations and International flag banner. The students did spectacular work to make the event more festive and to run smoothly.
Any cultural groups who would like to be involved in next year’s event, contact Principal Chan Meas at 209-826-8410.
