Celebration of Nations Returns to Downtown Rolla

This year’s event was held Saturday, September 25, 2021

Maria P., Staff Writer|October 8, 2021

In a world that is separated by borders, there is one weekend where those lines fade and culture floods over the streets of downtown Rolla, Missouri.

Celebration of Nations is an annual event that celebrates the cultures of our world and gives the international students a chance to express themselves. 

People from all of these different countries come together to show how diverse our world really is. They wear authentic clothes and tell the stories of their native lands.

This event is not just for the students, it is for the people of Rolla, and anyone who can make the trip. 

This event is not easy to put on, and it takes a lot of volunteers, and students to run. Mr. Jeff Sandquist is a shining example of someone who truly cares for this event and its cause.

Jeff Sandquist is the music teacher at Saint Patrick Catholic School, but he is also in charge of running the Celebration of Nations event. He has been working with the event for over five years and is in charge of organizing the parade, festival, talent, and supervising the volunteers. 

 This event is also a great chance for retired members of the S&T community to come back and not only volunteer but to see the impact they had on younger generations. One great example of these people is Dale Martin.

Dale Martin was a coach of the S&T basketball team for 29 years before retiring in 2009, he then returned to the campus staff in 2016 working for the department of International Services as a student recruiter. He now works to see if local businesses will donate and attend, which helps form the festivals that you see today. 

This is an amazing event for students, campus employees, alumni and their families as well as our community in general, and it is inclusive for all ages and nationalities. It shows how diverse our community is, but most importantly how diverse our world is and how accepting this university is to these new people and cultures. This event has become woven into our yearly plans and will leave a legacy and a mark on all those who live here.