By Erin L. Berry
Copy Assistant

UNCP held its tenth annual Taste of Culture Celebration on the U.C. lawn on April 7.

Students represented various groups at tables where they gave out pamphlets and food, while other organizations displayed their paraphernalia.

Groups represented at this event include Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, The International Club, The Interested Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha, The 10% Society, Theta Kappa Sorority, The African American Student Organization and the UNCP Chapter of The NAACP just to name a few.

Presided over by Abdul Ghaffar from Student Activities, the cultural event offered students the chance to eat food prepared by members of AASO.

The Imoja Dancers, a Caribbean/African Dance troop, performed two selections showcasing their differing dance styles and artistic agility. The group stressed the thought of “peace, love and respect for everyone.”

2004-2005 S.G.A. President Vanessa Jones, Homecoming Queen Andrea Miyagi, and Miss UNCP Jessica Ortiz-Carrero all spoke positively, enforcing the idea of spreading cultural diversity.

Other performers for the event included members representing N.A.S.O., which featured singers from Stoney Creek, N.C. and surrounding areas. The performers gave the crowd a presentation of grass dances and several songs from their Native American heritage.

S.G.A. Treasurer Chib Thao and her sisters performed a dance from their Hmong family traditions, and explained their decorative regalia as it relates to their heritage.

UNCP’s own gospel choir, The Voices of Serenity performed two spiritual selections that moved the crowd and elevated their spirits.

Junior Selena Craig said, “I think that it’s a good event to have because it gives everyone a chance to meet people from different cultures.”

“Learning about different cultures is something that everyone should do,” sophomore, Crystal Williams said. “And that is one of the main reasons that I wanted to attend UNCP."