Event organizer Ritika Nandkeolyar with children participants.

Dartmouth College as an institution of higher education occupies an interesting geographic position in terms of ethnic and cultural diversity. How you might ask? Well, while most universities and colleges in the United States, especially on East the Coast, are located in urban centers where ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity is an essential part of the social fabric, the student populations at these school most times do not reflect the same social make-up as their immediate surroundings. Because of this lack of internal diversity, many schools look to the community to educate their student body on the importance of tolerance, socio-economic sensitivity, and the need for racial and cultural understanding. At Dartmouth, the opposite is true.

Local family participating in craft activities at the Extravaganza.

Dartmouth College is in a unique position because our student body is more "diverse" than its immediate environment. While the Upper Valley is becoming more diverse due to forces like globalization, technological/communication improvements and immigration, the area is still racially and socially homogenous. On the other hand, Dartmouth's student population is over 25 percent people of color, more geographically diverse, and has a wider socio-economic distribution. Because of this inversion of roles, the community often looks to Dartmouth for insight into issues of race, class, culture, and gender. One of the institutions at Dartmouth College that is on the frontline of addressing issues of diversity and understanding community needs is the Tucker Foundation. The Tucker Foundation through a number of community outreach projects, events, and activities connects Dartmouth's diverse population with local schools, social services agencies, and families. One such event is the "Kids, College, and Community: A Cultural Extravaganza!"

The Extravaganza is an event that brings together local children, families, and Dartmouth students for an afternoon of learning about and celebrating the diversity of world cultures as represented at Dartmouth. Despite the heavy snow, this year's Extravaganza was a success and featured activities and performances by the Gumboot Dance Group, Milan, Steppin' Out, the Irish Society, the Dartmouth Asian Organization, the singing group Rockapellas, and others. Some highlights from the afternoon included a highly rhythmic tap performance from the group Steppin' Out, traditional dress and origami making from the Dartmouth Asian Organization, frybread compliments of the Native American Department, and a "rockin" finale by the Rockapellas.

The event was organized by Tucker Foundation student-run volunteer projects such as Big Brother/Big Sister, English as a Second Language, LEAD Mentoring, and Book Buddies and funded in part by the Programming Board. The Extravaganza's organizers hope children, families, and Dartmouth students who attended the event left with a broader understanding and appreciation of other cultures and traditions. The Extravaganza's goals are not to answer all questions on issues of multiculturalism and race but it sees itself as great first-step into that conversation, especially for children!