Recently, we hosted the International Festival—a vibrant celebration under the theme of Global Gardens: Our Roots are Shared, which brought together the rich diversity of nationalities within the ASH community. Held in connection with Earth Day, the festival came alive with colorful tables hosted by families, each sharing their culture, traditions, and delicious food. The celebration also featured lively performances and a joyful student-led flag parade, uniting our community in a spirited display of global connection.

ASH Director Dr. Courtney Lowe opened the festival with the following remarks:

"It is a real privilege to see everyone gathered here—students, staff, and family members—representing more than 70 nationalities. For us, this is normal, but in the wider world view, it is something quite rare, and it is something worth pausing to recognize. 

Today, we are coming together to mark two important ideas: the beginning of our International Festival and Earth Day as consciously connected moments. Our theme this year is “our roots are shared.” Each of us brings with us today something unique—our languages, our cultures, our histories. Those differences matter. They shape who we are and how we see the world. But alongside those differences, there is something just as important: we all share the same Earth. One planet, one home. 

Recently the Artemis II mission took astronauts further than any human ever into space. This was a genuine international effort that included important contributions from our neighbors at the European Space Agency and possibly some of the people in this room today. The astronauts spoke about what it means to look back at Earth. They described it as a single, connected place—without borders, without divisions. Just one world that we all depend on. 

That perspective feels especially important right now. Because if we look beyond our campus, we can see that the world is not always as connected as it could be. There are conflicts, disagreements, and uncertainty in many places. Sometimes, it can feel like what divides us is louder than what brings us together. 

That is exactly why understanding our shared roots matters. It reminds us that before nationality, before language, we are people who share the same planet. It challenges us to listen more carefully, to be more curious about one another, and to choose connection over division. 

This is the work we are doing every day at ASH. We are building a community where differences are not barriers, but strengths. Where learning includes not just academics, but understanding each other. This assembly is part of that. Today, you will see the flags that represent our many nationalities. You will hear about how different countries are thinking about sustainability and caring for our planet. These are ways of helping us see both our diversity and our shared responsibility. 

And a reminder: tomorrow, we will continue the celebration with the international festival itself, including the food and cultural experiences many of us are looking forward to. 

But today is about something more reflective. It is about recognizing who we are, together. Our shared roots remind us where we come from. How we learn, how we treat one another, and how we care for our world, shape the future."