Community Corner
What You Missed at the Thai Night Gala
Last week's Thai Night Gala wished fond farewell to Thai visitors and raised funds to continue with the exchange program.
Both a farewell to Upper St. Clair High School's Thai exchange teachers and students and a fundraiser to ensure future USC/Thai exchanges, the sixth annual Thai Night Gala was an enjoyable success.
Several hundred USC residents, teachers, and students came out for an evening of Thai food, culture and entertainment to honor and say goodbye to the Thai visitors. Thai teachers and students have been a part of the USC family for more than a month.
Visitors to the Gala had the opportunity to experience a variety of aspects of Thai culture. There were more than 20 exhibits, offering information on everything from Thai costumes past to present, to festivals and events, spirit houses, massage, music, language and children’s games. Visitors could learn about Thai instruments, play children’s games and make Thai crafts.
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The Thai market featured an impressive amount of unique and reasonably priced jewelry, scarves, ties, purses, decorative clay flowers and other souvenirs. Exchange students and teachers carted these goods across the globe for this event, and to ensure the continuation of this exchange program, which is completely self-funded.
Dinner was catered locally, and featured chicken curry with vegetables, chicken Pad Thai, spicy tofu with mixed vegetables, stir-fried chicken with basil leaves, and the crowd favorite, Thai papaya salad, that sold out completely before the evening ended.
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After dinner, guests were welcomed into the theater for both USC and Thai entertainment for performances that delighted all ages: sword fighting, Thai musical demonstrations, classical and local Thai dances and a performance by the USC jazz band. Audience members were invited in a final farewell tribute to join in the “Thai Friendship Dance.”
American and Thai students — both wearing traditional Thai dress — joked around, snapped photos, reminisced about their time together and expressed sadness at the upcoming departure of their new friends.
Over the past six years, 233 students, 103 host families and 27 teachers have participated in the Thai/USC Student Cultural Exchange. Three hundred ninety-two USC high school students have participated as student ambassadors, and countless others have benefitted from the exchange by interacting with Thai teachers and students during their time at USC.
If you have photos from the Thai Night Gala, please upload them to the slideshow above. And please share your personal stories about the Thai/USC exchange in the comments section.
