Los Altos High School’s held its anual Diversity Assembly today, April 3, in the large gym.  The annual assembly promotes the school’s uniquely diverse atmosphere and showcases many students’ hidden talents.

“I was really impressed with our school after seeing all [the other students’] acts,” junior Elaine Zhao said. “People were doing all kinds of cool stuff, and it really [does go to] show that our student body is pretty diverse.”

For many clubs and individuals, today’s diversity assembly was the culmination of many hours of practice. Between this and last years’ assemblies, many clubs altered or entirely changed their performances.

The Latino Student Union, which plays an integral role in the assembly annually, performed twice in today’s assembly. LSU started and concluded the festivities with brilliantly executed Latin dances.

Not to be overshadowed, the dance team also came out strong this year. The team dedicated their entire choreographed piece to those suffering from or touched by cancer.

Among the returning individuals, junior Max Chi mounted the stage and performed a new traditional Chinese piece on his erhu. Senior Ideen Seyed stepped into the spotlight for her last time, singing and strumming her guitar to an enthusiastic crowd.

However, it wasn’t just returning repertoire that drew applause. This year’s assembly contained an unprecedented number of brilliant débuts.

Junior singer Ethan Dean went first and performed a translated Filipino song.  His singing enraptured the crowd and showered him with applause.

Meanwhile, junior musician Zach Gospe also managed to stun the audience.  Gospe performed one of his original compositions, entitled “On the Wall”, which can also be seen here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D9vDbEzGK4

Senior Afsheen Khosraviani performed traditional Persian music with his brother sophomore Bijan Khosraviani.  The duo received a standing ovation after they dropped the beat.

Among the new dancers, Elaine was one of the first to mount the stage.

“I was crazy scared to be in the assembly [since] I really didn’t feel very well prepared, but I did it and it was so fun,” Elaine said.  “The school is so supportive!”

Elaine, a veteran Oriental Chinese dancer, took her audience’s breath away as she interspersed elements of gymnastics into her Oriental themed dance.

A trio of ballet dancers (Kelli Carlson, Megan Girczyc, Ashley Musick) rounded out the show, performing ballet to the Piano Guys rarrangement of “What Makes You Beautiful”.

“While running through the acts before the assembly, I got to meet and have conversations with people who I hadn’t seen or talked to in forever as we bonded over how amazing and talented everyone was,” junior Elaine Zhao said.  “[The assembly] was definitely a great experience!”