On last Friday’s Up-Close Show, our own Gary Daigneault spoke with Twentynine Palms High School principal Michael Ruggiero. Among many other positives for Twentynine Palms High, Ruggiero discussed their many school clubs that celebrate diversity, as well as their International Festival.
Ruggiero describes Twentynine Palms High School as “a very inclusive community.” This inclusivity, which includes taking care of often marginalized students of military families, is The Wildcat Way, says Ruggiero, referring to the school’s Wildcat mascot. When further prompted by Daigneault about ways Twentynine Palms celebrates diversity, Ruggiero replied:
Ruggiero: “The diversity you’re referring to is the strength of our community. One of the forces of nature on our campus is Lisa Soliz, our library tech who is the advisor for many clubs on campus: The Black Music and Arts Club, The Pacific Islanders Club, the Crocheting for A Cause Club—we have so many clubs, it’s fantastic. And once a year we celebrate our diversity and inclusivity on campus with our International Festival which was started 20-30 years ago. At the assembly, Terry Bergey always announces the history of the festival. There are performances, dances, singing—it’s really an exploration of the cultures represented at Twentynine Palms High School.
And my second favorite part is the Food Festival that takes place afterwards where we have the best lumpia in town, great Hispanic food—all the clubs make it a fundraiser by having food booths after school. It’s just a wonderful event.”
The festival also includes soul food, Japanese, Chinese, Italian food, and an array of desserts. Twentynine Palms High School’s next International Fest, or I-Fest, is scheduled for February 15th, 2024.
