This year’s Global Fair, sponsored by the PA KInD Committee, was a beautiful showcase of King’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. After a three-year hiatus, the event returned to the lower school gym, where families transformed the space into a multicultural hub.

“The Global Fair is an excellent example of who King is as a school community,” said Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Dr. Clyde Beverly. “We celebrate our differences and diversity within our community.”

Discussion of reviving the event began last summer, and in February, the KInD committee reached out to families who had participated in previous years. Word spread quickly as former and new participants were eager to contribute.

Months of planning and organizing culminated on Friday, April 28, with 30 tables sharing the culture, traditions, and flavors of different countries and states. Over the course of four hours, faculty and students from all divisions had the opportunity to explore the fair’s offerings. Many of the displays resonated on a personal level with students.

“I liked the Brazil booth,” said Tyler Sanchez '32, “my mom is from Brazil.”

Lower school classes were given pretend passport books to collect stamps from each of the tables. After collecting stamps from each table, the students could receive a small squishy globe toy.

“I was impressed by how many of our younger students could point to the flags of the different countries they had visited and were excited to tell me about some of the food they had tried,” said PA KInD co-chair Christianna Contopoulos. “This made all the planning challenges worth it!”

Overlapping with lunch, the variety of cuisine available was a highlight for many. Table hosts proudly served food and drink, including Texas chili, Jamaican beef patties, Colombian coffee, Japanese candy, and more.

“The croissant at the France booth was my favorite,” said Isabella Ulloa ’32.

Live performances of global music from the Grade 6 Choir, jazzy New Orleans tunes by the Grade 7 Band, and upbeat samba drumming by the Grade 8 Band, led by Chair of the Performing Arts Department Garrett Mendez, provided the score to the event complimenting a diverse playlist of music.

Recognizing the importance of the event, the KInD Committee and Beverly hope the event continues to grow in the future, adding more countries and states to match the diversity of the school.

“Simply stated,” concluded Beverly, “the Global Fair is King.”