Students explore the world without leaving Souby Lawn at Magnolia Mosaic

In the midst of World War II, Estonia, a small European country that shares a border with Russia and the Baltic Sea, endured decades of Soviet occupation that left many without a home. In 1944, approximately 80,000 Estonians fled the country. Among them were the relatives of upper school history teacher Jesse McCarthy, Ph.D., whose family arrived in America during that turbulent time, carrying their language and culture through immense upheaval.

“After the Iron Curtain fell, I was able to travel to Estonia and meet family for the first time,” Dr. McCarthy said. “Seeing how they had preserved our traditions and stories through so much loss was profoundly moving.”

At this year’s Magnolia Mosaic multicultural festival, Dr. McCarthy hosted a booth to share his story, Estonian culture and traditions, and a taste of pickled herring — a  delightful treat that finds its home in the Baltic region. 

In its second year, Magnolia Mosaic celebrated the cultural diversity of Harpeth Hall families. Dr. McCarthy’s booth was one of 28 booths lining Souby Lawn. Each stop on the Magnolia Mosaic passport was led by a family, faculty member, or student-led organization and featured activities, food, games, music, and more. Girls filled the lawn for the afterschool event to dance together, sing songs, and move to the beat of traditional African drums.

“Magnolia Mosaic is meaningful to me because it's a time when our vibrant community gets to see herself. It's a time of gathering in difference while finding ourselves in the same space,” said  Director of Campus Connection and Multicultural Initiatives Jasmin Hopkins, who co-organizes the event with choir teacher and campus connection coordinator Matthew Pyles. “It is significant because we harmonize in collective works and a shared community.”

For families like the Purohits, who returned to Magnolia Mosaic this year to host their booth “Namaste India,” the festival is a representation of how Harpeth Hall’s values align with their own. 

“Being a global citizen is a large part of our family's values,” said Priya Purohit, mom to 8th grade student Simran. “Events like Magnolia Mosaic allow [Simran] to understand the world better. It's about bridging cultures and creating a sense of belonging,” 

“Our ethnicity and culture shape who we are, and sharing culture allows people to connect and celebrate their identity. Magnolia Mosaic helps celebrate everyone's identity at Harpeth Hall, where everyone's background is valued and respected. It helps build representation, connection, and pride within our school community, which is very special.”

The Magnolia Mosaic festival goes beyond gathering and celebrating — it has become a place of learning.

At the French booth, middle school students tossed metal balls towards a wooded token while learning the rules of Pétanque. Nearby, students jumped in rhythm with the slap of bamboo poles against the ground, learning the steps to Tinikling, a Philippine folk dance. At another booth, girls took part in a trivia game about the achievements of important African American women. At each booth, students respectfully asked questions, participated in activities, and were eager to expand their knowledge of the world around them.

“When I had people trying the perfume and food, I felt as though I brought everyone with me to Sudan,” said Mona Fagir, who hosted a booth called “Glimpse of Sudan” with her 10th grade daughter Danya Osman. “One reason we did this was because we are proud of our culture. We wanted to introduce people at Harpeth Hall to the culture we love so much. It teaches people who aren’t aware of the country about it.”

The shared enthusiasm of the Harpeth Hall community as it came together to learn from and about one another uplifted Dr. McCarthy. 

“I appreciated how genuinely interested attendees were in the texture of another culture and the stories that endure through time,” he said. “That kind of curiosity honors the quiet endurance behind every tradition that survives. …Events like Magnolia Mosaic remind us that the histories our families carry still shape who we are and how we see the world. Hearing those stories invites us to step outside what’s familiar and understand how people find strength in different ways.”