Third and fourth graders from the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Webster Center, New South Bronx, P.S. 47 and P.S. 48 in the Bronx were among more than 250 kids from across New York City to take part in the PAL’s annual Cultural Day celebration at the Harlem Center on Friday, Aug. 9.
The theme for this year’s Cultural Day celebration, “Reimagine the Magic,” gave these kids the chance to go on a magical journey to reimagine and recreate their favorite movies. They put their own “modern-day” slant on their selected movie to reflect the voices of their own communities.
PAL participants dedicated time to learning about the stories and rich cultural backgrounds depicted in their selected movies, recreating the magic of well-known classics with energy, imagination and enthusiasm. Some of the submissions from PAL youth and staff included a colorful display of the Polynesian Islands of “Moana,” the music and dance of Colombia in “Encanto” and a creative representation of a New York City candy store off the streets of 1960s “West Side Story.”
The Webster Center kids ultimately took home second place in the Overall Cultural Day Award category.
“Watching the main character in Moana inspired me to see that anything is possible. She reminded me of myself, someone who is brave,” says Jannatu, 9, of PAL’s Webster Center in the Bronx.
“I’m nervous to perform, but excited to represent my PAL center at Cultural Day and share what I learned about the Polynesian Islands, where Moana is from” said Graicel, 9, of PAL’s Webster Center in the Bronx.
The festivities also included a banner and chant parade, with the kids carrying homemade banners from their PAL centers and performing lively chants. Additionally, there were interactive booth displays, where the PAL youngsters shared the knowledge of the movie they studied, as well as performances by the young people in costumes.
“Cultural day is a day to celebrate not just what they have learned and created this summer, but also an opportunity to center the joy and enthusiasm they all have as PAL participants,” said Meredith Gray, Police Athletic League’s Director of Program Development and Partnership.
PAL participants dedicated time to learning about the stories and rich cultural backgrounds depicted in their selected movies, recreating the magic of some well-known classics with energy, imagination and enthusiasm. Among the movies in the celebration were “Black Panther,” “Hercules,” “Camp Rock,” “High School Musical,” “West Side Story,” “Big Hero 6,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Lilo and Stitch,” “Coco,” “Moana,” “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Encanto,” “Inside Out” and “The Princess and the Frog.”
“I enjoyed learning about Mexican traditions like Dia de Los Muertos, and the importance of family. We learned a few chants and dances and I really enjoyed making the Talavera pottery,” said Aishatu, 9, of PAL’s New South Bronx Center.
“I liked learning about a new culture, in this case Mexico. We watched the movie Coco, and I learned about new traditions. My main lesson was that the love of the family is forever,” said Yamieliz, 9, of PAL’s New South Bronx Center.
