International Week is a beloved annual tradition at TASIS, and this year’s events kicked off with an all-school Opening Ceremony in the Palestra on the morning of January 22. The inspiring gathering included remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff, a Parade of Flags, the presentation of Torch Awards, and two excellent musical performances. Learn more about each part below.

Remarks from the Headmaster

Mr. Nikoloff welcomed everyone to International Week 2024 and asked students to focus on the “inter” in internationalism, encouraging them to spend the week learning from each other, celebrating and sharing each other’s cultures and heritages, and promoting peace and understanding on campus.

Watch his remarks.

Parade of Flags

With their classmates and teachers cheering them on, selected students from all three divisions proudly marched around the Palestra with the flags of the 64 nations currently represented in the TASIS student body: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Watch the Parade of Flags.

The Princeton Footnotes Perform

The world-renowned Princeton Footnotes, who are spending a few days at TASIS as part of their tour of Switzerland, then took to the stage and performed an a cappella medley that had the crowd clapping its hands.

Watch their performance.

Presentation of Torch Awards

The annual presentation of Torch Awards, which are granted to one student in each grade who embodies cross-cultural understanding and makes a significant effort to reach out to students from other countries and cultures, was led by High School Head of Student Life KC McKee, Middle School Dean of Student Affairs MJ Breton, Lower School Head Tim Fitzgerald, and Elementary School Assistant Head Guia Berea. Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Andrea Lopez-Espindola (grade 12), Romeo Zanarini (grade 11), Alessia Primo (grade 10), Giulia Corvado (grade 9), Nile Walton (grade 8), Saskia Smith (grade 7), Martina Melcangi (grade 6), Beatrice Bolfo (grade 5), Alice Panziera (grade 4), Giuseppe Mazzella (grade 3), Lucrezia Romeo Di Santillo (grade 2), Uma Masyukova (grade 1), London Larson (Kindergarten), Arienne Lill (Pre-Kindergarten 2), and Veronika Safonov Pre-Kindergarten 1). 

Watch the presentation of the 2024 Torch Awards.

Performance of “Will You Be There”

Guided by Performing Arts Department Chair Erika Cramp, Middle School Choral Director Angela Dusing, and Elementary School Choral Director Melody Tibbits Zanecchia, the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Choirs joined forces with The Princeton Footnotes to close down the ceremony with a lovely rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There.”

Watch the performance.

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