ALL THE DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES CULTURAL DIVERSITY.

Byline: Daily News

STEVENSON RANCH - Stevenson Ranch Elementary School celebrated its fifth annual Cultural Diversity Festival Nov. 18 with music, dancing, stories and foods from around the world.

The school has one of the most diverse campuses in the Newhall School District, and, every year, parents, staff and students come together to celebrate their differences.

``This event instills in students a pride for their cultures and gives them self-confidence,'' said Shallu Makan, a parent who coordinated this year's festival. ``It is an event that connects them to their roots.''

The evening started with interactive booths representing countries including Korea, India, Holland and Greece. Each booth contained arts and artifacts from the country it represented.

Students listened to folk stories from different cultures in the storytelling booth, and Indian mothers applied henna tattoos in another booth.

Ethnic cuisines from Korea, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, England and Holland were served, and, after devouring these delicacies, the guests were treated to a variety show.

Entertainment included classical dances from India, a bamboo dance from the Philippines, a Bengali song, an Indian contemporary dance and a tae kwon do demonstration. After the show, Stevenson Ranch students presented a cultural dress parade, modeling fashions from around the world.

``It's a big night for all our parents who come forward to share their cultural heritage,'' said Principal Diane von Buelow.

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(color) A young girl enjoys an Italian ice during the Cultural Diversity Festival at Stevenson Ranch Elementary School on Nov. 18.