Essay and Logo Contest

Congratulations to our 2026 Festival of Nations Essay winner!

Colin Van Karsen from Chassell High School.

Our community becomes stronger when people from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together. I have built connections with individuals different than myself by following the “golden rule,” treating everyone how I would want to be treated, and being a great listener. I ask questions and have always been genuinely curious about other people. I try my best to understand people, from their ideas to their culture and religion.

My mom works for an international charity and has taught me a lot about different cultures. I have also traveled to other countries and connected with people from many different backgrounds. I learned that when you ask questions, you will always find that you have something in common with another person. It could be something small, like having twin sisters or sharing a love of running, but those connections can open the door to making a new friend.

At Michigan Tech University, I will help create a sense of belonging for all students by being a kind and welcoming person, especially to those who are not from around here. I enjoy running, so I could invite someone to join me on the Tech trails. I could also invite someone to my home for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner if they were unable to travel home for the holidays. I will respect different ideas and encourage others to share their perspectives. By being friendly, curious, and open-minded, I truly believe I can make a difference in helping students feel a sense of belonging.

Congratulations to our 2025 Festival of Nations Essay winner!

Carter Worm from Calumet High School.

Spreading ideas across backgrounds and cultures leads to a brighter future for all, as has been consistently proven throughout history. I have a passion for engineering and sustainability, and my work at Michigan Tech APS Labs reflects that. We were tasked by the U.S. Department of Energy with creating a 55,000-pound prototype hybridized Pettibone CaryLift, and we set a goal to reduce the energy consumption by 20%. All expectations were shattered as we achieved up to 65% reduction in certain drive modes. Such a monumental undertaking would not have been possible without open-minded collaboration and the desire to achieve a common goal. I have been able to work with talented engineers from India, Brazil, Israel, and all over the United States at APS Labs. Not only did I learn from them professionally, but experiencing aspects of their culture such as traditional foods and stories really opened my eyes to the value of diversity in engineering. I am also proud to have sat in meetings with executives and engineers from companies across the world during my time on the project, always finding myself in awe of their extensive knowledge. Watching different cultures and backgrounds come together to solve remarkably complex problems was inspiring to me, and I knew with absolute certainty that my future was at Michigan Tech.

Congratulations to our 2024 Festival of Nations Essay winner!

Kayleigh Mattson from Cooper County High School

I was born in a rural area of Louisiana where I went to school and had friends from various backgrounds, including black and Hispanic. When I moved to Michigan in 5th grade, I noticed a change in the student population. Living in two different places allowed me to appreciate the differences among people. Diversity is about welcoming people with different beliefs and ensuring everyone has equal opportunities.

Our town was built by immigrants from various countries laboring in the mines located around the Copper Country. Following neglect of fair pay and working conditions, the union started to strike. Despite diverse backgrounds, workers united for a common cause: fair wages and better working conditions. The strike advocated for change. Our community showed that when people with diverse beliefs come together, they can achieve a shared goal. Each individual brings unique perspectives and strengths, contributing to a community’s success.

As a student at our town’s university, I am excited about the diverse student body. I am entering MTU as undecided but interested in the Humanities Department. I hope to seek out opportunities to learn about different cultures and perspectives. I am eager to attend courses that focus on embracing diversity and inclusiveness. I am also excited to explore different clubs that will introduce me to new groups and backgrounds. By joining these clubs, I hope to gain valuable insights, broaden my perspectives, and meet people from diverse backgrounds. I hope to enrich my understanding of the world and grow as an individual.

Congratulations to our 2026 Festival of Nations Logo winner!
Adler Raajala - Adams Township Schools 

Congratulations to our 2025 Parade of Nations Logo winner!
Graciana Wagner from Lake Linden High School.

Congratulations to our 2024 Parade of Nations Logo winner!

Isabella Tampas from Lake Linden High School