Mount Vernon High School’s ACE students celebrate cultures with 'Festival of Lights'

Mount Vernon High School’s Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) students brought learning to life Wednesday with a “Festival of Lights” showcase that highlighted holiday traditions from various cultures.

The joyful event was designed to help the social studies students explore how people celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Las Posadas in a way that was both easy to understand and engaging, said special-education teacher Brigitte Marks-Jackson.

“The goal was to make learning meaningful and accessible for all students,” Ms. Marks-Jackson said. “We wanted them to see that while traditions may look different, every culture has special ways of celebrating, and those differences are something to value.”

The lesson encouraged students to share their own December traditions, helping them feel included and connected before expanding their understanding to celebrations from other cultures around the globe. 

Music played a central role throughout the experience, reinforcing the idea that songs and rhythms play an important role in the celebrations.

Students created instruments, moved to music and handled materials for a tactile experience. Communication also was tailored to each student’s needs, whether through spoken responses, gestures, images or augmented communication devices.

The showcase featured a lively call-and-response format in which each group took turns asking questions, waited for answers and shared information. The students gained insights into turn-taking and listening skills.  

Each class chose two songs to perform, representing traditions they studied. Audience members were invited to sing along, transforming the showcase into a shared experience rather than a one-way performance.

The event also highlighted students’ leadership skills. One ACE student served as the event’s DJ, while another captured the celebration through photography.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland introduced himself to students and watched the performances, applauding the program’s creativity and inclusive approach.

By the end of the lesson, students were able to name at least one holiday from another culture, recognize the importance of music in the celebrations and share something new they learned.