![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Volunteering, performing and educational opportunities are offered by International Day, an event created to celebrate the diverse cultures present at Lafayette.
“Essentially, [International Day is] a day where there’s going to be a bunch of cultural presentations of various mediums,” Vice President, junior Gauri Kathula said.
Kathula said the goal is not just to educate people, it is to unite the community.
“Without regard for [cultural acceptance], it’s hard for people to coexist as a community,” Kathula said. “So [International Day] helps build a lot of empathy towards others and then it drives people to be more respectful in what they say and how they treat other people.”
These roles support International Day without requiring a presentation.
Advertising with fliers and social media, organizing meetings, setting up the event, and cleaning up the event are all available roles. Any volunteer hours from the event can go toward Key Club or any other volunteering organization.
For presentations, students choose their own topic and can perform stage events or create small stations.
Stations are arranged in a science fair structure, with attendees walking around and visiting them.
Meanwhile, stage events typically feature live music or dance routines that occur intermittently throughout the event.
President, junior Akilesh Rajan said the only rules prevent anything culturally insensitive, inaccurate or inappropriate.
Members of International Day met Nov. 15 to discuss presentation ideas and to learn about the new structure of the event.
Kathula said the event has evolved since last year, with planning starting earlier to allow longer preparation.
“This year, we’re considering bringing in people externally,” Kathula said. “[For example,] people’s parents or grandparents [who] want to provide perspective.”
The event is in its planning stages, meaning students are still welcome to join and volunteer.
“[There’s] signing people [into the event], coordinating performance timings, all of that,” Kathula said.
For those interested, the survey link and contact information are listed below.
