The Spire

Ella Woei ‘26

Staff Writer

One of Holy Cross’ most highly-anticipated events will be making its return to Mechanics Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21. This year’s Caribbean African Student Assembly (CASA) fashion production, titled Roots and Divinity, combines elements of Caribbean and African spirituality to explore the story of African diaspora through art, movement, and design. The event will feature Holy Cross student models and performers, as well as a market featuring local businesses to give guests an opportunity to experience all that Worcester has to offer. 

For Co-Chair and director Dami Oguntuyo ‘26, “planning the fashion show has been really exciting, but also a learning curve”. In particular, she says that directing alongside Josel Perez ‘26 and Diane Fils ‘26 “has been incredibly rewarding,” and there has been “so much grace in the way we’ve supported one another throughout the process.” When deciding on this year’s theme together, the directors decided that they “wanted the show to carry real weight and tell a meaningful story.” After asking themselves, “with everything happening in the world today, when challenges arise, what do we return to?” They found a simple answer: their roots. 

When thinking about this theme, Dami believes that “our roots are something that can never be taken away from us; they shape our identities, our cultures, and our ways of life.” This also relates to the second part of the theme, divinity, which “represents faith, courage, and purity.” She explains that in the Caribbean and African diaspora, these belief systems play a central role in the way “our ancestors found strength to endure, survive, and thrive.” Ultimately, Dami emphasized they did not do this alone, and “our ancestors […] relied on community, faith, and shared traditions to guide them forward.”

This theme is also particularly meaningful to model Kiara Fontes ‘26, who says that “everyone is able to interpret it and express it in their own way.” As an African immigrant and Cape Verdean student, Kiara understands that “at times, it can feel isolating being in a space where you don’t hear your language or see people who share your background.” Through her involvement in the CASA fashion show, Kiara has been able to find a space where she feels more connected to her African identity. While the show features many different cultural experiences, she says that “there are so many overlapping stories.” As a senior, Kiara wanted to take advantage of all of the opportunities that Holy Cross offers, and have a role in an event she has respected for a long time. As the months of planning have come to a close, she reflects that she “came into this experience hoping to teach others, but left having learned just as much.” Kiarra is looking forward to seeing the final product come together, and seeing the audience experience the production.

Dami emphasized that they chose this theme because “everyone has roots and carries some form of belief, faith, or hope that grounds them.” Therefore, she wants to invite the audience to “to come as they are to learn, to reflect, and to celebrate,” whether they’re celebrating their own African or Caribbean, or sharing the moment and learning something new. For Dami, CASA has truly become part of her roots since coming to Holy Cross, so this theme is especially close to her heart. 

Hosting the event at Mechanics Hall is particularly meaningful for CASA’s own roots, since it is returning to the venue where the event was conceived. In addition to this beautiful space, audience members have an incredible night of performances, appetizers catered by an African vendor, and a local market lined up as “a meaningful way to support the community and highlight culture.” Therefore, attendees should come ready to shop with cash or card, and stop by CASA’s lobby table for ticket holder-exclusive deals. 

Tickets are available on MyHC for Holy Cross students, Worcester students, and other outside guests. Additionally, CASA will be lobby tabling in Hogan leading up the event. “It’s going to be a full cultural experience,” says Dami. “Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends, family, and loved ones.” 

Featured image courtesy of @hc_casa on Instagram

Copy edited by Molly Croft ‘29