The Lift Every Voice student showcase took place on March 27 during blocks two and four. Students performed songs, dances, speeches, and poetry highlighting cultural diversity at State High.

The first Lift Every Voice event took place in 2023, making this year the fourth annual performance. This year’s student performance was emceed by Grace Yang, Lila Franklin and Leila Crandall. The show opened with Whitney McMullen singing “Lift Every Voice.” 

The second song in the event, following a speech by Safa Ali, was sung by freshman Sanai Purkait, who sang the song “Saat Bhai Champa.” She recalls listening to the song, which is based on a fairy tale, frequently growing up.

Through Lift Every Voice, Purkait hopes to share her culture and being a Bengali Indian. “[Lift Every Voice] really shows the diverse amount of people and different cultures we have, and it really just condenses it and highlights it,” she said.

The event continued with speeches and music from students, including, but not limited to, Grace Liu and Devon Mitchell. Finally, the show concluded with a lively dance performance from junior Maamae Yeboah.

Lift Every Voice is a cultural celebration that gives students a platform to showcase and spread awareness about how their cultures impact them.

The event, which gave its first performance in 2023, began in 2022 sparked by a polarizing event that happened within the State High community. In response, students wanted to establish something that allowed students to express themselves, embrace their cultures, and have a lasting impact. 

They wanted to create an event that said, “…don’t just see me for who I am or for the color of my skin, but see me for my experiences,” Lift Every Voice Co-Advisor Elisabeth James described.

The Lift Every Voice showcase typically happens around late winter to spring, but the preparation begins long before that.

At the beginning of the school year, around August and September, students can begin signing up to participate in the event. There is usually an interest meeting students can attend, announcements through WSCH, and fliers throughout the school. 

Not only does the event support inclusion and diversity, but it also fosters a strong sense of community. Students who participate have shared that Lift Every Voice is a place where they feel safe and seen.

“[Lift Every Voice] provides a sense of belonging for our students whenever they need it. They get a chance to find community with different diverse backgrounds and with different friends they may not have known,” Lift Every Voice Co-Advisor Aaron Moon said.

The event creates a space where students, who may not have otherwise met, can come together and support each other.

“It shows that your experience matters regardless of your cultural ethnicity. Your experience matters and your cultural connection matters. Whether you’re adopted or whether you’re a student from a different country, or you’re a student that has been here but lives in a family that is of a different race or ethnicity… it just helps people feel seen,” James said.

Lift Every Voice hopes to extend its impact through future preview performances at the middle schools.