LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Viva Polska! Linden Honors Hispanic and Polish Traditions in Motion
An evening of salsa, Polonez, and shared pride as students, families, and educators unite to celebrate culture, flavor, and community

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- The beat was irresistible. The colors: electric. The pride: unmistakable.
On Friday evening, Oct. 24, the Linden Public Schools Multilingual Department brought the district’s cultural heartbeat to life with a spectacular Polish and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration inside the School No. 1 gymnasium, a night where music, movement, and memory intertwined.

The celebration opened not with words, but with wonder.
Elementary students, wrapped in the vibrant hues of Central and South America, transformed the gym floor into a runway of tradition — embroidered blouses swaying, satin ribbons catching the light, tiny steps echoing with confidence and pride. Each stride was a story, each smile a celebration of home.

Then came the rhythm — the pulse of salsa, the precision of Poland’s Polonez, two worlds spinning in harmony. The evening, themed “Celebrating Traditions, Honoring Cultures,” invited families, educators, and students to experience a sensory journey through heritage. From piñata-making and flag-decorating to the enticing aroma of Spanish and Polish dishes, every station, led by the district’s Multilingual and World Language team, became an open door to discovery.

Where Tradition Finds Its Rhythm

Under the bright gym lights, 24 Linden High School International Club students took their places for Poland’s traditional Polonez — a regal, processional dance that marks grand occasions like proms.
But this wasn’t just Poland on parade — it was the world, together. The dancers represented a breathtaking blend of heritage: Haiti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Spain, and the Dominican Republic — each step in perfect unity.

The performance was coordinated by Anna Zolotuchas-Skiba, ESL Faculty Member and International Club Advisor at Linden High School, who has led the club since 2009. “It’s beautiful to combine the different cultures,” she said, her voice glowing with pride. “We are all from different places, and that makes our celebration even more meaningful. This is what the International Club is about: welcoming everyone.”

And just when the applause softened, the energy surged again — the music turned up, the tempo quickened — and the salsa dancers took the floor. Choreographed by LHS alumna Tiffany Jerez, who returns each year to mentor students, the salsa number shimmered with joy and precision — a cascade of red, gold, and rhythm that brought the audience to its feet.

 A Living Lesson in Diversity

The night was more than a performance. It was a living classroom , one that taught with movement, melody, and meaning. Through laughter, dance, and discovery, students learned what it means to honor identity and celebrate others — a message woven into every swirl of fabric and every shared step.

With more than 80 active members, the Linden High School International Club continues to serve as a bridge between cultures — from Haitian Flag Day to the Black Culture Festival to the annual International Awards Night.

For Zolotuchas-Skiba, the magic of the evening was simple yet profound: “It’s more than a performance — it’s a living lesson in diversity, empathy, and joy.”