The audience started to take out their phones, turn on the flashlights and sway them in the air. There was a moment of peace and tranquillity which engulfed the audience.

From hip-hop Korean pop to traditional Indian dances, the Coppell High School Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC), showcased the most performers its ever had with its annual Heritage Night. There were 28 performances, and it was the 13th year CHS has done Heritage Night.

Heritage Night, held Friday night in the CHS commons, celebrates the global diversity represented on campus. There are various forms of entertainment such as dancing, singing and performing martial arts, where students can showcase their talent. Students of all race, color and ethnicity come together to celebrate one world.

The night started off with modern Bollywood dances, which made the atmosphere of the commons feel like the audience were in a rock concert. The modern and popular Bollywood music that blasted through the speakers allowed the audience to sing and dance along with the performers.

“It is nice to see how people of all different cultures can enjoy cultures that are not theirs, and they can participate in it and have fun.” CHS sophomore Palak Bhargava said.

Later, there was a traditional African dance integrated with modern dance styles, and K-Pop performances that made the audience go wild.

“Heritage Night is so popular because of the vast amount of cultural performances and how everyone comes together to support not only their culture, but other cultures as well,” JWAC co- president junior Tanmai Singhania said.

Following the barrage of dances, there was a small song cocer from Penn Masala (South Asian Acapella group), which was hinting a prom proposal. This proposal made the audience go wild.

With the different Indian attires and different type of people at the event, it truly felt like a “melting pot”.

“I have been seeing this [Heritage Night] for more then 10 years and all the time I am so fascinated by the different performances and its success. I feel like there is more of an audience now than ever before,” said Praseeda john, parent of former CHS student.

Following the different types of dances and martial arts performances ranging from Africa, Korea, and India, CHS sophomores Rohil Verma and Pooja Cheruku took over the crowd with a cover of a famous Hindi song called Jeena Jeena

With Heritage Night coming to a close, there was an open dance floor which made the commons feel like a rock concert.

But the entire process was not easy, according to JWAC sponsor Melissa Alexander-Blythe.

JWAC  had to plan the food, figure out about how many people were going to come, sell wristbands and tickets and also had to find volunteers who would come and work.

Amid all the work and time that had to go into planning, it was worth if for Alexander-Blythe.

“The turnout of the event was amazing, we sold over 600 tickets”, Alexander-Blythe said.

Even for CHS junior Prajna Vootukuri, who danced for Heritage Night, all the hard work during and after school was worth it.

“Just getting up there and dancing made me feel so good. Even though I stressed so much about this, just hearing the crowd cheering my group was worth it all,” Vootukuri said.

Follow Nishant @Nishantnm1