Celebrating Culture, Community, and Learning at Grissom Middle School’s Culture Night

May 23, 2025

On Thursday, May 15th, we had the pleasure of attending Culture Night at Virgil I. Grissom Middle School in Sterling Heights, an event that showcased the knowledge and creativity of its students. We were especially excited to support our Journeys: World Religions in Metropolitan Detroit students, who, among many other hardworking classmates, created impressive displays highlighting the diverse faith traditions they explored throughout the school year.

The gymnasium was a swirl of colorful traditional dress, the rich aroma of culturally inspired foods, and the buzz of excited conversation. Each student stood proudly by their display, ready to share their knowledge about a world religion or culture they had studied. Many students had also prepared samples of food connected to their heritage or the tradition they represented They also brought culturally connected objects for others to explore, and a few students performed cultural dances or songs.

Each attendee was given a Passport Book upon arrival. As families made their way from booth to booth, tasting the delicious food and listening to students explain religious practices and cultural customs, they received stamps for each country or religion visited. This was an especially fun and educational way to track the evening’s journey.

We were proud to see some of our Journeys students representing both their cultural heritage and one of the faith traditions they encountered through the program. Their excitement and knowledge were evident, and the joy on their faces was heartwarming.

The event was a testament to the dedication of Grissom’s teachers and the support of proud parents who stood by their children as they celebrated their learning and heritage. Culture Night was truly a celebration of belonging and the impact of experiential learning.

We are deeply grateful to have been invited to be a part of this incredible event. It is our pleasure to bring the Journeys program to schools across Metro Detroit, and events like this highlight the real impact of this work on students and communities alike.

-Journeys Staff