(BEAVER DAM) Families in Beaver Dam will see an even bigger celebration of global cultures next winter, thanks to new grant funding that will help Wayland Academy expand its annual Culture Convention.
The school received two $500 grants — one from the Heffron Family Fund and one from the Beaver Dam Community Foundation — to support the event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in Lindsay Gym on campus.
The Culture Convention has become a popular, community-wide gathering that highlights food, music, clothing, and traditions from around the world. This year’s showcase is set to feature representation from countries including China, Costa Rica, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Ukraine, the United States, and Vietnam.
Admission is free, and organizers say they hope the event gives local families a chance to experience cultures they may not encounter every day. Donations will be accepted at the door, and a full list of sponsors, campus maps, and parking information are available at wayland.org/culture-convention.
The school’s Unity and Community student leaders help organize the event, working alongside staff and local partners. A photo provided by Wayland Academy shows the students with representatives from the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation and school leadership.
Wayland is still seeking additional sponsors. Anyone interested can contact Associate Director of Advancement Tyler Ratajczak at tratajczak@wayland.org.
The independent college-prep school serves day and boarding students in grades nine through 12, drawing teens from the Beaver Dam area, across the United States, and about 30 countries each year.
-Unity and Community student leaders (left and right of check holders) are pictured here with Melanie Budde, owner and operator of Budde Realty, Tom Heffron, President of the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation, Jason Warnick, Head of School at Wayland Academy, Carolina Ganske P`29, Wayland Academy’s Unity and Community Committee Chair and Culture Convention Co-Chair, and Tyler Ratajczak P`25, `29, Associate Director of Advancement.
