In past years, the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) Coordinated School Health Council, an organization that provides fun, educational, and healthy activities for the district, held a yearly Night Around the World. In 2020, that event could not be held, but on May 19, 2021, the activity returned as a drive-through event at GSHS.
International food items were prepared for about 200 attendees. Julie Groft, health council coordinator, said that the response was nearly overwhelming. "I am not sure how many cars we handed out food to - but we ran out super fast. We had a line of cars the first 45 minutes," she reported.
Groft said that the event was prepared so that when visitors arrived, they were welcomed and given a stress ball that resembled the world. From there, cars were driven through the parking lot along the school sidewalk perimeter to receive a map with stickers and a QR code card with information about organizations around Lancaster County that provided food for the event and activities to complete. "All the (Garden Spot) foreign exchange students will be out here, and the German class will hand out pencils," said Groft just prior to the event. She noted that music from around the world would play, and dancers from the Lancaster Liederkranz were scheduled to perform in a shaded area. Those who participated received a coloring book just before leaving.
Flavors from around the world have always been a highlight of the event, and the 2021 drive-through featured foods from 10 countries. Foods that were given out included egg rolls representing China, Jamaican patties, macarons representing France, soft pretzels for Germany, shepherd's pie for Ireland, and for Italy, stuffed shells, garlic knots, and pizzelles. Pennsylvania Dutch foods were represented by homemade whoopie pies. Karissa Davis, a nurse at the school, oversaw the production line of foods, both hot and room temperature. Room-temperature foods were packed in bags and hot foods into special containers. "We have a system where we fill a cart, take it out, deliver it to the guests," explained Davis, who added that each visitor received the same amount of food.
The health council has up to 50 members, including select students, staff members from every school building in the ELANCO district, and a school board member. The students learn teamwork and time management as they plan and hold a variety of events in addition to the Night Around the World, including a Mini Relay For Life and fitness challenges.
More information about the group may be found at https://gshs.elanco.org.
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