From Bachata to Polonez: Linden Celebrates a World of Culture

Students bring Hispanic and Polish traditions to life through dance, fashion, music and flavor at School No. 1

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOL, NJ (Oct. 24) — The rhythm of Latin music met the elegance of Poland's traditional Polonez on Friday evening (Oct. 24) as Linden Public Schools brought its celebration of Hispanic and Polish heritage to a colorful, spirited close.

The dance floor stole the show. From the smooth, romantic steps of Dominican bachata to the spirited rhythms of Colombian cumbia and the graceful procession of Poland's Polonez, Linden High School students carried the audience across continents without ever leaving the School No. 1 gymnasium.

The colors were vibrant. The music, infectious. And the aroma of traditional Hispanic and Polish cuisine wafting through the room offered a delicious preview of what awaited guests after the performances.

It was a fitting finale to the district's observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and Polish American Heritage Month, recognized throughout October. Two rich cultural traditions. One shared celebration.

An audience of approximately 100 family members, friends, students and community members gathered for the annual celebration, led by the district's Multilingual Department under the direction of Danie Orelien, director of Multilingual Learners and World Languages, in collaboration with the Linden High School International Club.

Orelien thanked parents for bringing their children to experience an evening of cultural discovery and shared traditions. Joining her onstage were members of her team, including Florencia Skorput-Lazur, the event's lead coordinator, Tania Miguelez, supervisor of ESL, Bilingual and World Languages, and Stephanie Ross, elementary ESL, Bilingual and World Languages supervisor.

The gathering reflected Priority 5: Community & Stakeholder Partnership of the district's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, bringing families, educators and students together through cultural appreciation and meaningful community connections.

A Runway of Cultures, a Stage of Traditions

Before the dancing took center stage, the evening opened with a burst of color as elementary school children transformed the gymnasium floor into a cultural runway, proudly modeling traditional attire representing approximately 25 countries, including nations across Central and South America.

Music added another dimension to the celebration. Linden High School student Emanuel Romero performed on piano, while sophomore Ninel Alvarado treated the audience to a violin performance.

But it was the dance routines that brought the two cultural traditions together in especially memorable fashion.

Perhaps the most compelling moment came during the Polonez, a traditional Polish processional dance performed at major celebrations, particularly proms.

Only one of the dancers was Polish.

The others represented a remarkable cross-section of Linden High School's multicultural community, with roots in Haiti, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Cuba, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Slovakia and Kenya, among other countries.

Different languages. Different backgrounds. One shared performance.

For Anna Zolotucha-Skiba, a Linden High School ESL faculty member and International Club co-adviser, that was precisely the point.

"We're a very diverse group," she said.

The club, which she co-advises with Stephanie Quintero, has approximately 70 members, with about 46 students participating in Friday's celebration.

Zolotucha-Skiba said preparations began in late September. Returning dancers helped freshmen and other newcomers learn unfamiliar choreography, rehearsing after school until the movements became second nature.

"I value the time they spend with each other because they learn how to collaborate with each other despite the differences that we have," she said.

A Feast for the Senses

Beyond the performances, families explored cultural displays, tested their knowledge through trivia games and participated in interactive stations celebrating Hispanic and Polish art, history and traditions.

And then there was the food.

As the performances concluded, guests made their way toward a wide assortment of traditional dishes, their aromas drifting through the gymnasium. The culinary offerings provided one last opportunity to experience the two cultures, this time through their distinctive flavors.

Zolotucha-Skiba, who has worked with the International Club for more than a decade, said the most rewarding moments are not necessarily the applause or the perfectly executed dance steps, but the relationships formed along the way.

"They're proud to embrace new cultures," she said. "They also find a way to collaborate with each other and work together."

It was a lesson in cultural understanding that extended well beyond the dance floor, reinforcing the district's commitment to building relationships, celebrating differences and strengthening community connections.

"I believe that our students are exceptional," Zolotucha-Skiba said. "We should value them for what they bring in."