St. Mary’s has a long-standing tradition of hosting a fundraising carnival around May, which has been going on for a few decades since the school was established. The carnival offers various games and activities, but most importantly, there are snacks and dishes from many countries and cultures. For the first time in St. Mary’s history, there was an independent Taiwanese booth.
The Taiwan booth offered many new dishes at the carnival. Bubble tea, with its signature chewy tapioca pearls, quickly became one of the most popular drinks of the day. Alongside it were savory favorites like LuRouFan (braised pork rice), popcorn chicken, and GuaBao (Taiwanese burgers). The booth was not only a hit with students, but also attracted parents, teachers, and visitors curious about Taiwanese flavors. Special beverages like Taiwan Beer, Sarsaparilla, and Guava Juice were also available at the booth.
The organizers of the Taiwan booth wanted to give special thanks to Ms. You, Mr. Marier, Ms. Marwood, Ms. Tang, Mr. Kramer, and the supportive St. Mary’s community.
Taiwanese culture has historically been included with the Chinese booth in the past carnival events. The establishment of an independent “Taiwan” booth is quite significant as it represents the development of cultural diversity within the St. Mary’s community.
The debut of the Taiwanese booth marked more than just a culinary first at St. Mary’s. It was a celebration of identity, inclusion, and the spirit of sharing that defines the school community. Through food, students were able to connect and explore different cultures and identities. As the sweet taste of bubble tea and the laughter of students filled the air, the booth reminded everyone that traditions can evolve, and that there’s always room for something new at the table.
