The Mahtomedi High School (MHS) Essence Club recently held a Cultural Fashion Show for their peers.
Kelsey Joson, the Essence Club advisor, shared, “The fashion show was an opportunity for Essence Club members to be proud of who they are and showcase cultural fashion. The event was a chance for the members to show a piece of themselves that their peers at school might not see every day.”
The Essence Club, a welcoming space for all, holds regular meetings and events to bring students together and learn from one another. It is open to all minority, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students, as well as anyone interested in exploring others’ cultures and celebrating their own. With approximately 25 members, the Essence Club is a growing community that values diversity and mutual learning. Club member Yursa shared this about Essence Club, “This is a safe space for all people.” Alijiah, another Club member, shared that the Club creates a space to be around other diverse people and “celebrate our cultural differences.”
The Club meets twice a month, once during Flextime and once after school. During these meetings, they do various activities, including potluck food exchanges, simply hanging out, or brainstorming new ways to express and share their cultural uniqueness with others. One of their ideas, which came to life on March 14, was the Cultural Fashion Show. This event showcased a range of cultural fashions and tribal clothing, including Ethiopian and Hmong clothing pieces. Over 50 MHS students attended the event, which concluded with an outpouring of applause and support and then opportunities to take photos with students from the show.
Click here to see a video of the Cultural Fashion Show.
Click here to see more photos from the event.
Written by April Hoffoss, Class of 2027 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern