Celebrate Diversity is definitely 
one of the highlights of the year. I
would say that if you are
an incoming freshman you don't want to
miss that, you want to get to school 
right on time during orientation week.
Today you will meet a number of students who came to school early
to introduce themselves and their organizations to you.
Please keep in mind, this is just a glimpse of the kind of diversity 
that you're going to experience in this community. 
Part of what made this year's Celebrate Diversity, so so so so fantastic
was it was the first year that we actually had two different dance groups on stage
at the same time performing together.
The impetus for what we are calling this cultural mash-up 
actually came from the students.
We had a show with UR Celtic and Xclusive.
The two of them on stage, at the same time, was absolutely mesmerizing. 
This year, you know, it was number group
on stage once and I think that really
worked well to showcase what the
University of Rochester is about.
hen it comes to diversity and inclusion
and the interaction of different cultural groups on campus.
You know, I was backstage all the time talking to the groups
as they're preparing. And I think they truly appreciate it.
The opportunity to work together, as well. I think we all benefited from it. 
And the freshmen saw, again, driving home that message that
When you bring this level of diversity to a community like ours 
there's just no end to the creativity, and so it's just really exciting.
Even from when, like I was a freshman, and I watched the show,
I really just remember seeing all these
different groups of people coming
together and kind of being like one community
It's, it's really amazing to see honestly, it's my favorite event of orientation.
Having our performing groups on stage
together
really exemplifies what we mean by
diversity and inclusion into working
together
to produce a final project that's even
better than its parts.
So our freshmen are
exposed to some these groups
one, two, three years from now it's those freshmen who were in the audience
during celebrate diversity that are going to be up on stage performing for other freshmen
And so I think the groups get something out of it in that they are entertaining the freshmen
but also kind of recruiting.
You can do this to, as a message and the freshmen just get the idea that
there's a rich, diverse life here to be celebrated
and here is one way I can get involved in that. 
I would say for other students who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors here
if you do get the opportunity to perform
during Celebrate Diversity,
you should definitely consider it. It's an
awesome experience.
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