In tribute to National Foreign Language Week, Walt Whitman’s World Language Honor Society recently hosted their annual International Night. This year’s theme of “Languages Take You Places'' was beautifully represented by Whitman’s talented students. The yearly event aids in fundraising for Unicef with an array of great international foods to sample, while guests enjoy dance routines and musical numbers in the high school’s Performing Arts Center.

The evening began in the PAC, adorned with flags from around the world, with a traditional Chinese Lion Dance by Ten Tigers Kung Fu Academy, donning beautiful dragon wear in their routine. Following this grand opening, the audience was treated to an exciting performance by Irish Step Dancers from Mulvihill-Lynch Irish Dance Studio.  French students Emily Butterfield and Ed'Rogeen Charles then sang a duet of “Tout Ou Rien Du Tout" before Lillian Dwyer took the stage to sing “Bella Ciao.” The Asian Heritage Club also took the stage with orchestra students performing a beautiful string medley. Ella Brenner impressed the crowd with her musical talents on the piano while singing "Je te laisserai des mots,” before the high school band All These Haunts performed two songs. 

Back by popular demand, the Latino Heritage Club put together a Quinceanera Fashion Show, giving students the opportunity to glide across the stage in their beautiful dresses. We were also pleased to welcome back the WWHS Hellenicats as students and staff performed a number of traditional Greek dances. 

Madeleine Bas played the French song "Régrets" by Louis Diémer on the piano before joining Angelee Cordova Palma to perform a duet of “Besame Mucho.” Following these musical numbers was a special Caribbean music performance that took place for the first time on the Walt Whitman stage. The dancing continued with the Baile Folkloric, performed by Keiry Garay Portillo, Jennifer Mendez, Richard Linares Moreira, Keylin Canales, Kevin Flores, and Joseph Hernández. To close the performances for the evening was the band Notice, exciting the crowd one last time before everyone was invited to the South Cafeteria for a variety of cultural treats to sample. 

The evening was an entertaining way to take a trip around the world and raise money for the important work UNICEF does.  Thank you to all who participated and shared their talents, and to our community for their generosity! Great job by World Language Honor Society officers, Co-Presidents Lindsay Alms and Sara Duffy, Co-Vice-Presidents Jillian Kobel and Shayaan Siddiqui, Co-Treasurers Michael Eastwood and Emma Jacoutot, Co-Secretaries Nathalie Robson and Shay Lublin, and Publicity Director Josseline Bautista. Thank you to the club’s advisor, Ms. Aileen D'Addario, and to our World Language Department and Building Administration for all of their support!

Watch International Night 2025 here.

Photo Gallery

Ten Tigers Kung Fu Academy opened up the show with their captivating and traditional Chinese Lion Dance.

WWHS Junior Sarah Bruzual sang the Italian national anthem perfectly.

We’re always impressed by dancers from the Mulvihill-Lynch Irish Dance Studio!

The Latino Heritage Club performed various dances that wowed the crowd.

This year, a dance to Caribbean music was performed by high school students Sydni Russell, Ed’Rogeen Charles and others.

Lillian Dwyer sang “Bella Ciao” as one of the night’s equally entertaining and impressive performances.

Walt Whitman’s Greek-American Heritage Club, the Hellenicats, performed traditional Greek dances by students with help from assistant principal Mr. Jon Varlamos.

"Je te laisserai des mots" was sung by Ella Brenner as she beautifully played the piano.

Whitman’s talented musicians joined together to perform live tunes for the audience to enjoy.

The Quinceanera Fashion Show allowed students to show-off their dresses one more time since their traditional 15th birthday celebration.

After the performances concluded in the PAC, everyone was welcomed to the South Cafeteria for an array of cultural treats and items for purchase in benefit of the World Language Honor Society’s UNICEF fundraiser.