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| GSCC News INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL & BAZAAR The annual International Festival and Bazaar at Gadsden State Community College takes on added significance this year as the College observes the 35th anniversary of the Alabama Language Institute. Coordinator of International Programs at Gadsden State Dr. Paula Ross-Derrick says that she welcomes all former teachers and counselors and hopes they will attend this year. Since it was established in 1973, Dr. Derrick estimates more than 5,000 students have attended the institute. The International Festival and Bazaar is scheduled for April 4, at the Wallace Drive Cafeteria and tickets are currently on sale. The theme this year is “Embrace the World.” Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the doors will open at 4:30 p.m. to give those attending the event plenty of time to browse among the country displays and the various vendors. A number of vendors of international products will be on hand and some students will also be selling items from their countries. Ten percent of the vendor sales will be donated to the scholarship fund for international students. The menu will consist of a wide variety of international dishes, some from recipes provided by the students and prepared by the Gadsden State cafeteria staff. Among the items available this year are curried chicken, Mexican lasagna, black beans and corn relish, stir fry vegetables, torta da abacaxi (pineapple tart) and Russian chocolate honey cake. Students will have booths set up in the cafeteria to share information about their countries. Some booths will have brochures, while some of the students’ embassies have provided CD’s and DVD’s. Many students will be dressed in their native costumes and will participate in a fashion show during the program. When the festival began over 30 years ago, students prepared their favorite dishes and took them to Noccalula Falls for a picnic. They later moved the event back to campus, opened the festival to the public and for a number of years the students prepared their traditional dishes. Now Sodexho Food Services at Gadsden State prepares the meals. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8.50 for students. A reserved table of six is $85 and a reserved table of eight is $110. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Proceeds will go to the International Student Scholarship Fund. “Contrary to popular belief, “Dr. Derrick said, “international students do not get any help from the U.S. Government.” The dinner provides funds for $500 scholarships for several students each year. Participants are encouraged to purchase tickets early since traditionally this event has been a sellout. For more information and tickets, contact the International Office at (256) 549-8438 or 549-8324. |