LEXINGTON, Va., Feb. 25, 2025—Last week, the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society hosted Global Festivities, an event celebrating the cultural diversity of New Year traditions around the world.

Cadets engaged in hands-on activities, including creating paper lanterns, folding origami, crafting vibrant Brazilian carnival masks, and testing their knowledge in a Jeopardy-style cultural trivia game. Through these interactive experiences, they explored diverse traditions and gained insight into how different communities welcome the new year. They also enjoyed delicious refreshments inspired by cuisines from around the world.

This event was initiated by Phi Sigma Iota president Anna Yemelianova '25, who worked closely with the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, and in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion, to make it a success.

VMI story and photos courtesy of:
Laura Xie, PhD
Director, Summer Session | Associate Professor of Chinese
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE