Photo Caption: Wayland seniors Rachana Sawyers and Pablo Moreira presented to Beaver Dam’s Common Council about the upcoming Culture Convention, being held Saturday, February 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Wayland Academy students, staff, and faculty invite residents of Beaver Dam and surrounding communities to Culture Convention 2025—a celebration of global diversity and cultural appreciation. The event will be Saturday, March 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Lindsay Gym, centrally located on Wayland’s campus. There will be food, activities, performances, and a fashion show, as well as feature guest entertainment throughout the day. Wayland is an independent college-preparatory school for day and boarding students in grades
nine through 12. In addition to students who live in the greater Beaver Dam area, Wayland’s student body is comprised of high schoolers from across Wisconsin, the United States, and approximately 30 different countries in any given school year. Countries to be represented at Culture Convention are Brazil, China, Georgia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Rwanda, Poland, Costa Rica, India, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, South Korea, St. Lucia, Turkey, Viet Nam, and Dominica. Dozens of food samplings from around the world will be available, including coxinha and brigadeiro (Brazil), kimchi pancakes (Korea), falafel and hummus (Palestine), Pierogi (Poland), mini tamales oaxaqueños (Mexico), and manti (Turkey). Performances throughout the day will be from the Middle Eastern Ensemble (Ensemble Shamaali), Krimson Pop Dance Club, Rwandan singers, and UW-Madison’s Fuego Dance Crew. Hawaiian Hula lessons will also be available. “One of the main reasons why I chose to come to Wayland was the incredible diversity that this
place holds,” said Pablo Moreira, a senior at Wayland and native of Brazil. “Bringing back Culture Convention is something that we’ve been working on for over a semester now. This will not only give the community a glimpse into the work of many amazing and dedicated young minds, but also create an even stronger bond between us and the wonderful people that surround our campus.” Culture Convention began as a revitalization of the Global Fair in 2024. Established in 2003, the Global Fair was hosted at the Beaver Dam Community Library, before moving to the Wayland Academy campus in 2016. Wayland is thrilled to bring back the cultural celebration and enjoys welcoming the community to campus. This year’s event is sponsored by the Beaver Dam Community Library, Jason and Colleen Warnick, the Heffron Family Fund, the Beaver Dam Community Foundation, Budde Real Estate, Blue Hawaii, and Dam Chicken, with support from St. Katharine Drexel School. “Culture Convention offers a remarkable platform for individuals to engage in mutual learning, celebrate different cultures from around the world, and honor our shared heritages,” said Carolina Ganske, modern languages faculty at Wayland and advisor to the student-led Culture Convention committee. “Above all, this event serves as a powerful reminder that we are more similar than different in so many ways.” “This event has the power to not only introduce people to new things and cultures, but also impact the lives of all involved, and open windows that we might have never even imagined before,” added Moreira. “At Culture Convention you may discover your new favorite dish, song, dance, or even a new hobby. It is a must for everyone in the community!” Admission to this event is free and open to the public, with donations accepted at the door. More information about the event, including a campus map and parking information, is available at
wayland.org/culture-convention.
