Celebrating Diversity: Atlantic City High School Honors International Mother Language Day

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Atlantic City High School proudly celebrated International Mother Language Day on February 21, 2025, showcasing its vibrant cultural diversity. The event, organized by school secretary Midhat Siddiqui, brought together students, staff, and community members to honor the 41 languages and dialects spoken within the school. Students and teachers read poems in their native languages, fostering a deeper appreciation for linguistic and cultural heritage.

The program highlighted the global significance of International Mother Language Day, rooted in Bangladesh’s history, where the fight to preserve the Bengali language led to the tragic events of February 21, 1952. Superintendent Dr. La'Quetta S. Small emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion, reminding attendees that “people had to die for the right to speak in their native language.”

Special guests, including Board member Subrata Chowdhury and Adbur Rafiq of the Bangladeshi American Association, spoke about the power of language as a reflection of culture, history, and identity. Students from various backgrounds, such as Zeeshan Bakhtiar from Pakistan and Dorothy Adu-Pomaa from Ghana, shared heartfelt messages about pride in their mother tongues.

The highlight of the event was a poetry recital featuring works in Bangla, Spanish, Twi, Korean, Vietnamese, Polish, Gujarati, and English, each bringing unique rhythms and emotions to life. The event stood as a testament to the sch

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