Dragons roaming the halls? World maps festooning the walls? Drumbeats reverberating in the basement? Bollywood-style moves on stage? What can all this mean? If it's Feb. 21, only one thing: International Day!

• Seniors Danielle Williams, Glexdy Rodriguez and Sherry Yuen huddled around a map of the world, placing pushpins to show their native countries.

 

• The African American Student Union provided a well-decorated, colorful hallway, which was both mysterious and alluring. 
• Seniors Shana Rajan, Sabbir Odudh, Troy Campbell and Amber Gill volunteered for a photo op while Central's Albanian student community danced in the alcove. 

 

• In classrooms throughout the school, speakers made presentations to students about their own story or culture.

• Juniors Callan Powell and Hannah Lin reclined in the hallway, smiling Callan representing the Irish. 

   

• Entertainment reigned in the auditorium as students mesmerized a captivated audience with dance, music and colorful attire, including a stirring, flag-waving finale by the IPCO 272 ensemble. 

IPCO 272 - International Day 2013

And out of chaos, the gym was filled with the mouthwatering sights and smells of cuisine from around the globe, drawing students, faculty, alumni and parents - a day much anticipated by anyone who is or has ever been associated with Central.

Nowhere else can you find something so harmonious, celebrating all of the world's cultures, history and heritage but at Central High School on International Day!

Remember when "blog" wasn't even a word, neither a noun nor a verb? Well, for those of us who need to get current, a nice way to start would be to read Zuliesuivie Ball, 272, on the Huffington Post website.

Zuliesuivie came to blogging in a roundabout way, but says she "loved that her thoughts and ideas were published in such a well known forum." She's a member of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement) at Temple University. MESA's goal is to inspire city kids in grades 6-12 to consider these disciplines as they move on in their education. All students are invited.

Zuliesuivie meets with MESA at Temple every Saturday from 9 to 2, participating in problem-solving exercises and meeting with professionals in math and science. Zuliesuivie has been especially inspired by her encounters with female professionals. "There aren't traditionally a lot of women in these fields, but after working with MESA, I want to go to Temple and major in Engineering."

MESA recently took part in a White House Challenge with groups from around the country to create new mobile phone apps. While participating, Zuliesuivie was asked if she would like to blog about it for the Huffington Post. And a blog star was born!

Zuliesuivie believes her newfound confidence in science and math has made her a better writer and communicator, and credits MESA. As she said in her blog, "MESA opened my eyes up to a new world that I find extremely interesting." Read more of Zuliesuivie's work here.

Congratulations to Elvin Luna, 273, one of 10 finalists out of 8,000 entries in the Rand McNally "Dear Mr. President" contest. "Dear Mr. President" challenged student authors to present a 400- to 600-word persuasive essay, "What important issue would you like the President to address?" Elvin wrote about global warming, titling his essay "Save Our Dying Planet." He and the other finalists spent three days in Washington earlier in February, and will have their essays published in a free Nook e-book.

There they joined about 50 other students for SoSTEM - "State of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math" - a conference to discuss the Obama Administration's science, technology and innovation education priorities. It was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House.

Nadia said she was honored to be invited to the event, explaining, "So STEM allowed students to act as the press and gave us the opportunity to ask special guests questions related to their fields of work or study and the State of the Union Address."

Among the speakers were Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Todd Park, U.S. Chief Technology Officer; Lori Garver, Deputy Administrator of NASA; Bobek Ferdowsi, Flight Director on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Mission; Peter Hudson, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iTriage; and Jack Andraka, 2012 Intel Science Fair grand prize winner.

"Meeting some of the world leaders in science, technology and engineering was phenomenal," Dale said. "I was able to approach each representative and ask the questions I had prepared, face to face. When I had the opportunity to talk to Lori Garver, I thanked her for NASA's contribution to our robotics team with their sponsorship.  Lastly, I asked Mrs. Garver for a job in about five years when I graduate from college."

(For another perspective on the CHS Robolancers, check out their take on the Harlem Shake)

HARLEM SHAKE v321 The RoboLancers

This year, Central is proud to present the Broadway musical "Hairspray!" Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 12 and 13, with matinees April 11 (3:30 p.m.) and April 14 (2 p.m.).

Based on the 1988 John Waters movie, "Hairspray!" is a fast-paced flashback into the much different society of 1960s Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad is about to turn everything upside down and takes advantage of wonderful and challenging opportunities. Throughout her groundbreaking journey, she finds love, changes the face of the media and establishes a new normal that teaches acceptance and tolerance. 

You can purchase tickets online or in the Music Department (Rooms 323 and 324). 

Note to would-be advertisers: Space is available in the program. If you would like to place an ad for your business or acknowledge a student performer, this is an excellent way to support the Central community and insure that these kinds of activities remain available to the students. For more information, contact the Music Department or music chairman Stephen Wilensky.

Don't miss the show - save the dates today!

The Commodore Barry Club in Mount Airy (6815 Emlen St.) will be the venue for Central High School HSA's 2nd annual social for parents, teachers, staff, alumni, and friends. From 7 to 11 p.m., this special fund-raising event will be an evening of fun with a purpose with all proceeds to benefit Central High School. But, the main focus of the evening will be the chance to win some fabulous auction and raffle prizes, door prizes, 50-50 chances, and themed baskets.

There are three ways you can help:

Buy a ticket and attend the event.

$45each      2/$80     Table for 8-$300

Purchase an ad in the event program book.

FULL page-$100      HALF page-$50    QUARTER page-$25

Donate or solicit an item that we can use for an auction or raffle prize.

Restaurants, sporting events, hair/nails/spa, jewelry, retail shops, professional services, museums, concerts, theater, household items, sports memorabilia, vacation stays, art work, fine cigars & wines, basket of cheer, we love everything!

Like us on Facebook! Help us get the word out. We hope to see you at the Commodore Barry Club on April 20!