A Welcome to a New Year with Identity-Based Groups

At the start of the new school year, Marlborough’s identity-based groups hosted their annual welcome events uniting students, faculty, staff, and families in shared celebrations focused on community, culture, and fun. Connecting to this year’s school-wide theme of Committing to Community, these gatherings set an invigorating tone for the year by honoring the shared experiences and rich cultures within our campus and welcoming new members to each community. Each event was thoughtfully designed and planned by the student leaders and dedicated staculty advisors of Organized Latinx Exchange (OLÉ), African American Cultural Exchange (AACE), Promoting AANHPI Togetherness and Heritage (PATH), and Kehilah—Marlborough’s Jewish student affinity group.

OLÉ Family Fiesta
On Saturday, September 12, OLÉ hosted their annual Family Fiesta—an event for students, faculty, staff, and their families to come together and enjoy food, music, and games. From a game of lotería with prizes to a celebratory piñata to end the day, there was fun for every member of OLÉ and their families. 

“What I love most about OLÉ is how it brings together such a small but vibrant community here on campus,” shared OLÉ Meeting Coordinator Rita W. ’27.

“I am so excited that everyone is here to play games, eat delicious food, get to know the new OLÉ members, and celebrate the Latino community at Marlborough,” Arts Representative Sophia M. ’27 added. “We are a small community, but our presence and impact at this school is immeasurable.” 

After the student representatives shared their remarks in both English and Spanish with the guests, the bonding and celebration continued as music played and the youngest OLÉ family members took turns breaking open the piñata. The joy and laughter from the event coursed through the Brittain Bradley Family Plaza, energy that guests carried home with them (alongside some delicious pan dulce).

AACE Family Picnic
Just a few hours later on Saturday, September 12, AACE transformed the Brittain Bradley Family Plaza into a Black Sitcoms-themed celebration for the annual AACE Family Picnic. Character-inspired outfits, a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-themed step and repeat, and throwback hits brought iconic Black sitcom energy to campus. Students and staculty danced together while family members connected over conversation, cornhole, and games of Uno. 

“The event helps students across grades connect by bringing not only us together, but our families too,” the AACE Council shared. “It gives us a chance to find overlap in our experiences and realize how much we have in common, even across different grades and generations. It makes AACE feel more like a sisterhood and a community that goes beyond just school.”

A highlight of the day was seeing the community dressed as their favorite sitcom characters and the line dances that brought everyone together. “Dancing is always a great way to bond,” the Council noted, “and our hearts always warm when we do line dances because it makes us feel like our community at Marlborough is getting so close.” The group enjoyed collard greens, wings, mac and cheese, and more as families new and old formed lasting connections.

PATH Golden Potluck
On Friday, September 25, PATH brought together over 100 guests from the Marlborough Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities for the annual Golden Potluck. With the PATH community encompassing many AANHPI cultures, the potluck is a beloved opportunity to celebrate the breadth of those traditions through food. From Indian samosas, to Filipino pancit, Hawaiian butter mochi cake with Japanese roots, and Korean kimbap (just to name a few), there was something for everyone.

Knowing that long lines of enthusiastic community members have formed in the past, PATH leaders devised a creative solution this year. Each table had to answer cultural and geographic trivia to be called up to get their food. As tables became teams, spirited competition came alive as teams raced to get the correct answer and earn their spot in line.

The food, as always, sparked the most meaningful conversations. “As students try unfamiliar dishes and step outside their comfort zones, conversations naturally turn to tradition and childhood,” shared PATH leader Miria O. ’29. “With over 100 attendees, an array of games, and of course, the delicious food, the Golden Potluck creates a sense of connection that transcends the divisions that students might feel because of their grades,” added Sarah K. ’28. The group is already looking ahead to their next event, when they will come together with OLÉ to re-watch the summer’s World Cup match-up between Korea and Mexico.

Kehilah Bagel Brunch
On Sunday, September 27, Kehilah gathered for their annual Bagel Brunch, welcoming new and returning members and their families just over a month into the school year. Guests mingled over a huge spread of food—including bagels, lox, cream cheese, and fruit—as conversation flowed across grade levels and new friendships took root. The Kehilah leadership board took a moment to introduce themselves and share what they are most looking forward to in the year ahead. Their responses ranged from exciting group meetings and celebrating Jewish holidays together to Kehilah’s beloved annual Shabbat dinner.

“I was so excited to meet new members of the Marlborough community, specifically new 7th and 9th graders,” Kehilah President Chloe S. ’27 shared. “The highlight of the event was hearing about the start of the 9th graders' year.”

Committing to Community
The events hosted by AACE, Kehilah, OLÉ, and PATH offered a welcoming space for students and their extended support systems—parents, siblings, relatives, and dedicated staculty—to gather and celebrate culture and heritage. Arriving right as the momentum of the new year builds, these celebrations gave students a chance to connect across grade levels and offered parents a welcoming entry point to form lasting bonds. As one of the students put it: “Having these spaces at Marlborough is truly special, and I am grateful to be part of it.” It is, at its heart, what Committing to Community looks like in action.