2008 Celebration Home | Program & Photo Album | Exhibits & Mini-Museum
 With great preparation and pride, the Public Health Student Alliance (PHSA) produced the third annual Diversity Celebration on October 10, 2008 at The University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH). Fashions, entertainment and artifacts from six continents were featured. University faculty, students and staff joined together to share their talents and treasures with a very appreciative audience.
At left, MEZCOPH OIT Director Htay Hla is shown in clothing from Myanmar.
 The Diversity Celebration debuted in 2006 under the title of the Diversity Fashion Show and was initiated as a response to the students’ desire to recognize and honor the diversity of cultures and interests found in the College at all levels. In the three years since its inception, the Diversity Fashion Show has grown in the number of countries represented and in the manner in which world cultures are displayed.
At right, MEZCOPH student Miriam Zmiewski models clothing from the Republic of Gambia.
In addition to a fashion show, entertainment, and international food offerings, the Global Health Alliance, a MEZCOPH student group, created a mini-museum of artifacts from participants’ travels around the globe. Featured items included an antique Japanese kimono, hand-woven textiles from Guatemala, and items from Jamaica, Turkey, Mexico, France, Zambia, Bolivia, Afghanistan, India, China, Ghana, Togo, Peru, Australia, and a ceremonial mask from Indonesia. Items from the Navajo tribe, the Mali, and the Hualapai were also on display. A Food from Around the World cookbook was for sale by students from the Global Health Alliance.
 The Walkway of Wellness, located between the two wings of Drachman Hall, provided a perfect setting for the catwalk where fashions from 22 different countries were modeled. Representation from the College’s international and Native American students and Returned Peace Corps Fellow populations was obvious as costumes from Africa, Latin America, South America, and North American Indian tribes prevailed in the parade. Entertainment acts spanned the globe as well, with Mexican Folklorico, Navajo, Cuban Salsa, Bollywood, and Cumbia dancers and a Belly Dancer providing lots of rhythmic fun. The Tai Chi Fan Form, the Chinese Lion Dance, American jazz and spiritual vocal selections rounded out the entertainment presented. At upper left, UA-MEZCOPH student Omar Contreras and UA College of Nursing student Isela Hernandez perform a Mexican dance at the celebration. Omar is the president of the Public Health Student Alliance.
Event co-chairs who organized the event were public health graduate students Omar Contreras, Deb Vittner, and Miriam Zmiewski.
 Next: The Diversity Celebration Program and Photo Album
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