Dancing to Diversity in Covina

Ishita Patel, 16, blends traditional Rajesthani and Gujrati dance styles this month at Charter Oak High School’s Unity Festival. The Covina school’s festival celebrated 13 of the school’s many cultures, including Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, African, Native American and European. Traditional costumes and foods formed a backdrop to performances that included belly dancing and flamenco. The school’s Unity Club formed this year to mitigate racial tensions that flared last fall. “We’re trying to use the cultural diversity at our school as a resource, rather than a source of conflict,” said club Vice President Sapna Patel.