Note: This story was edited at 12:32 p.m. 02-21-06

by Kirsten Brown

In a flurry of exotic dancing, poetry and song, the annual Cultural Extravaganza will return this Friday, Feb. 24, to celebrate OU-COM’s vibrant and diverse student body.

From noon to 1 p.m., you are invited to stop in Irvine 194 to partake of international foods and performances put on by students. Nigeria, Ghana, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Japan, Romania, Philippines, China, Lebanon, as well as the United States, number among the countries that will be represented by students hailing from them.

“The Cultural Extravaganza,” says Dean Jack Brose, D.O., “has become a great OU-COM tradition. I look forward to the excitement and energy that the event has.”

Organized by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the gala aspires to encourage a sharing of racial and cultural differences.

“The purpose is to bring all students together,” says Aderonke Adegbile, a Nigerian national, “because we understand that people come from different backgrounds. We want to give students a chance to express who they are and what they are about.

“The number of minorities admitted this year was about 30 percent, not considering people from other cultures,” Adegbile says, “so the whole purpose is to show OU-COM’s diversity and that the college encourages diversity, as well as how this is really important for the future of medicine.”

The extravaganza is divided into individual events, each one roughly 5 minutes long. One of the main attractions includes a fashion show highlighting the attire of students’ countries of origin.

But there is, shall we say, a fashion twist.

“Instead of wearing something from your culture or country, models will come out wearing the apparel of others,” Adegbile says. “This is very different from other fashion shows, where you typically come out in your own clothing.”

Another part of the extravaganza involves an African cultural dance, as well as poetry readings and music. Want to join in the fun? The cost is a mere $1. Proceeds will go to a charity decided upon by the SNMA general body.

“The cost will be for donation purposes and to cover expenses,” Adegbile explains.

Administrators and student members of SNMA worked together to shape this festivity and make it a success, she says.

“The school has really supported us,” she says. “Student affairs helped us with the fliers, and the dean helped us with food; the dean’s office has really been wonderful about it.

“It’s not the only event that brings students together, but it is one of such events. Our main focus is just for students to have an opportunity to embrace other cultures.”