As many might know, last Saturday, April 11, Graded had one of the most anticipated events of the year; Celebration of the World, also known as COTW. What might seem like just a fun afternoon with amazing food and raffles is actually something much more meaningful for our community. At Graded, we’re constantly reminded of the importance of inclusion. From mentoring to everyday conversations, we learn that being part of a diverse environment means being open to different cultures and perspectives. Since lower school, we’ve had the privilege of growing up surrounded by people from all over the world, but COTW brings that diversity in a very different way. Instead of learning in a structured classroom setting with our teachers saying that we need to be inclusive and that we need to respect all cultures naturally. Walking around, trying new food, hearing different languages, and talking to people, it doesn’t feel like learning, but it is.
Of course, the food is amazing and one of the things that make this event my favorite at Graded. This year we had free Doce Aquarella cake, my friends got really excited about it. But if there’s one thing almost everyone looks forward to, it’s the raffles. That’s easily the most loved part of the event. Some people go in hoping to win big prizes like iPads or iPhones, while others are just excited to win anything at all. This year, one of my friends bought a lot of tickets because she really wanted to win something, and she actually did. She ended up winning a kit of vitamins for pets, which was honestly really funny, but also kind of perfect considering how much she wanted to win. It’s those small, random moments that make the event so memorable.
Beyond the food and the prizes, what really makes COTW special is the way it brings people together. At the France booth, for example, I ran into a classmate and found out he was actually from France, which I had no idea about before. We started talking about his family, the food he likes, and what life is like there. I also shared that my grandma is French, which made us connect even more. It’s not the kind of interaction you usually have during a normal school day. At another moment, my friends and I ended up talking to a group of fourth-grade girls, and it was just fun and natural. There was no awkwardness, they were really nice, energetic and they were telling us all about the gossip in their grade. Seeing everyone so engaged, talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves is something that stands out to me every year. There’s a different kind of energy in the air, and it makes the whole school feel more united.
Something new this year that made the event even more meaningful was the dog adoption initiative. I don’t remember if we had it before, but it was really nice to see that the event wasn’t just about our own community, but also about helping others. It added more purpose to everything, showing that we can celebrate cultures while also making a positive impact beyond our school.
In a way, this event reminds us that diversity at our school isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we learn and live everyday. In my opinion, COTW isn’t just another school event, its one of the most meaningful and wholesome moments of the year, because it brings out what makes our
