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Saturday afternoon in Reaney Park, Party and Art in the Park brought Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) together by sharing and selling traditional food and art to each other and to the public, concluding International Education Week.

Kevin Lindquist, president of the International Students’ Council (ISC), said it’s a great way for students and the community to try something new.

“It’s a good way for different groups to interact with one another and build more friendships and partnerships,” Lindquist said. “It’s an event designed around bringing the RSOs together.”

ISC wants to be the students’ voice on campus, Lindquist said. He said he is passionate about his job and enjoys dedicating his time toward helping people.

The primary focus of Party and Art in the Park is advocacy for these groups; this event gets people together to have a good time, open themselves to different cultures and show people diversity around the world, Lindquist said.

Sabrena LeBeau is the president of the Association of Russian Culture Learners (ARCL), a new organization on campus. LeBeau represented her culture at the event by wearing a headscarf in a way traditionally worn in Russia.

“We’re going to be selling Russian food and getting Russian culture more engaged into American culture,” LeBeau said. “I feel like America is a bit disconnected with Russian culture.”

This is LeBeau’s first year in the club, and she was recently appointed president. ARCL hosts philanthropy events, such as clothes drives to ship clothes to Russian orphanages.

Gloria Pelupelu is vice president of Mitamitaga O Samoa, which in Samoan means the “pride of Samoa.” This organization is progressing toward becoming an official member of ISC.

Pelupelu said she is surprised when people don’t know where Samoa is, which is why part of their mission is to promote awareness of Samoan culture among students and the local community.

“It’s a way for students who are from Pacific Islands to have a home away from home, so it’s not much of a culture shock,” Pelupelu said.

Samoan people are all about getting people together to celebrate the culture with nights full of traditional dances and cuisine and laughter all around, Pelupelu said.

“We’re excited to mingle and vibe with the other organizations,” Pelupelu said. “We get to branch out and see other countries and get to know one another.”

Party and Art in the Park had entertainment throughout the day with a variety of performers, including students and the community representing their culture through these performances.