By Eva R. ‘29, The Standard
We are proud to present a special feature in The Trailblazer: authentic stories told by the voices that make Sierra Canyon extraordinary—our students. Written by Trailblazers themselves, these articles capture the true spirit, innovation, and energy of Sierra Canyon through the eyes of those who live it every day.
On Monday, March 16, siblings Adriana M. ‘27 and Andre M. ‘27 shared a meaningful presentation with the Upper Campus about Nowruz, the Persian New Year that marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and the first day of the Iranian calendar.
Adriana and Andre shared the significance of Nowruz, which has endured for more than 3,000 years, beginning in Iran and spreading to other countries and ethnicities worldwide. Nowruz is mostly a secular holiday today, though it remains a holy day in some religions.
Like Easter and Passover, food is an important part of Nowruz. During their presentation, Adriana and Andre stood next to a long table draped with a sofreh, an iconic Persian fabric for feasts and celebrations. The table was decorated with Haft Sin, an arrangement of seven different types of food all starting with the letter “S” in Farsi – the centerpiece always being a sabzeh (a sprouted food grown around Iran) with other ingredients symbolizing things like health, prosperity, love, and wisdom.
“My family celebrates [Nowruz] every year with my mom usually hosting, and all our relatives come over,” says Adriana. “We share delicious food, laugh, and celebrate happiness, good health, and gratitude for everything we have. It’s a really special time that brings everyone together.”
The assembly ended with a traditional Persian dance and a video that Chidi O. (’29) helped create, featuring interviews of students at Sierra Canyon discussing their Persian identity. Adriana and Andre gave a similar presentation on the Lower Campus to students in Grades 2–4 on Thursday, March 19.
Nowruz is one of the most exciting times in the Persian community. It lasts for 13 days and often includes street festivals, large feasts, fireworks, music, and poetry. On the final day, many Persians celebrate with an outdoor picnic, a joyous event for welcoming spring with open arms.
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