Queens youngsters took the stage at the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) annual Cultural Day event. Over 250 PAL participants from across the five boroughs participated in Cultural Day at PAL’s Harlem Center, located at 441 Manhattan Ave., on Friday, Aug. 9.
The theme of this year’s event, “Reimagine the Magic,” introduced a world of creativity for the third and fourth graders who reimagined and recreated some of their favorite movies.
The youngsters put their modern-day spin on the movies, including a colorful display representing the Polynesian Islands of “Moana” to the world of Wakanda in “Black Panther.” The event involved a parade of homemade banners representing participating PAL centers, lively chants and interactive booth displays showcasing the youngsters’ knowledge of the movies they studied. Additionally, audience members welcomed performances by PAL members suited up in costumes.
Two participating Queens PAL centers, Edward Bryne Center in South Jamaica, and Goldie Maple Academy in Far Rockaway, took first and third place respectively for Overall Cultural Day award. Other award categories included Best Banner and Chant, with PAL’s Wiliam J. Duncan Center in Manhattan winning, Best Interactive Booth, won by PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in Queens and Best Performance, also won by PAL’s Edward Byrne Center. PAL’s Webster Center in the Bronx and Duncan Center in Manhattan tied for 2nd place in the Overall Cultural Day Award category.
The Cultural Day included representation of the movies “Black Panther,” “Hercules,” “Camp Rock,” “High School Musical,” “West Side Story,” “Big Hero 6,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Lilo and Stitch,” “Coco,” “Moana,” “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Encanto,” “Inside Out” and “The Princess and the Frog.” PAL’s 2024 curriculum theme “Reimagine the Magic Curriculum” had participants learn about the stories and cultural backgrounds depicted in their selected movies.
Meredith Gray, PAL’s Director of program development and partnership, said Cultural Day is a time to spread joy to all participants.
“Cultural day is a day to celebrate not just what they have learned and created this summer, but also an opportunity to center the joy and enthusiasm they all have as PAL participants,” she said.
Tyler, 10, of PAL’s Edward Bryne Center, described some of the life skills he learned while studying the movie “Black Panther.” “I learned how to be a good leader and that accessories have so much power. For example, masks protect you from negativity, bracelets can be used to communicate with each other and headbands soothe you and can make you breathe better if you are worried,” he said. “I learned about working as a group to protect what we love. The hardest part was learning the chants, but we did it!”
Other youngsters shared their favorite part of the learning experience. “The movie ‘Camp Rock’ was fun to watch and to learn about the character who had to work in the camp kitchen in order to attend the music camp,” said Chelsea, 11, of PAL’s Goldie Maple Academy.
Founded in 1914, New York City’s Police Athletic League is a nonprofit organization that provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 15,000 children and teens annually.
