Charlene Zanoria speaks about her internship at Juneau Public Libraries and the project she organized, P.O.C. Palooza, on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. The event was held at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library last Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Charlene Zanoria speaks about her internship at Juneau Public Libraries and the project she organized, P.O.C. Palooza, on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. The event was held at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library last Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

This event celebrating People of Color was hosted by a student intern

Juneau library intern’s project celebrating different cultures

Charlene Zanoria used her summer internship to give under-represented cultures a moment in the spotlight.

Zanoria, a freshman at University of Alaska Southeast and graduate of Thunder Mountain High School, interned for Juneau Public Libraries this summer. For her connected learning project — an effort that combines interests, supportive relationships and learning — she came up with a celebration of people of color that featured music, dancing and food.

“I wanted to make an event that would include minorities that aren’t normally represented in the library,” Zanoria said in an interview. “The library is a place where everyone is allowed to go to, but there are specific minorities that don’t feel as welcome or don’t grow up being taken to the library, so they maybe find out about the services here on their own.”

[Loss of arts would hurt Alaska’s economy, said National Endowment for the Arts’ chair]

Zanoria’s internship was part of a national program funded by a competitive grant from the Public Library Association, said Amelia Jenkins, youth services staff for Juneau Public Libraries.

Zanoria, who is Filipina, said she hoped her event, P.O.C. Palooza, which was held Friday at the Mendenhall Valley library reminded people Juneau Public Libraries are for the entire community, and that includes people of color.

Jocelyn Miles sings during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

Jocelyn Miles sings during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

“I was thinking if I could make the library more openly inclusive of everyone, and make an event where everyone can celebrate themselves, that’s what I wanted to do with this event,” Zanoria said.

P.O.C. Palooza was Zanoria’s first-ever attempt at event planning. It featured songs from Hannah Adina, Jocelyn Miles, Luke Weld and performances from Missouri Smyth and students and the Filipino Community Dancers.

Hannah Adina and her daughter, Raven Kuhnert, 4, sing during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

Hannah Adina and her daughter, Raven Kuhnert, 4, sing during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

Smyth, who is from New Zealand, led students and the crowd through songs that incorporated Māori culture. The Māori are indigenous to New Zealand.

The Filipino dancers performed tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance, in which people beat bamboo poles at ankle level while dancers nimbly work their way through and around the poles.

“The goal and the hope is we re-invigorate these dances in the community,” said David Abad before performing.

David Abad and Krista Barril dance during during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

David Abad and Krista Barril dance during during P.O.C. Palooza at the Mendenhall Valley library, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

The dance, which combines footwork that might be familiar to someone who has participated in agility ladder drills with the rhythm of double-Dutch jump rope, was a hit with the crowd. After the dancers performed, a handful of kids gave it a try.

“I was a little bit worried because it seems a little bit ambitious to make such a huge event, but you take it step by step and it starts to feel more realistic, more doable over time,” Zanoria said.

Youth services librarian MJ Grande and Jenkins said Zanoria’s project was ambitious, but both applauded the young woman’s initiative as well as her efforts throughout the internship.

Jenkins said working with Zanoria helped her rethink the role of a library in a community, and what it can be versus how it’s actually used by people.

[Firefighter injured fighting brush fire out the road]

Grande praised Zanoria’s integrity, initiative and willingness to do whatever task came her way with thoughtfulness and thoroughness.

“She’s an honor to work with,” Grande said.


• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A map shows Alaska had the largest increase in drug overdose deaths among the five states reporting increases during the 12-month period ending in June. Overdoses nationally declined for a second straight year. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map)
Drug overdose deaths in Alaska jump 38.68% in a year as nationwide rate drops 14%

National experts see hope in second annual decline as Alaska officials worry about ongoing crisis.

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: 11 high school fights during first quarter of school year, up from 3 each of past two years

Consolidation seen as possible factor; middle school incidents more typical compared to recent years

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church as it hosts its weekly food pantry on Tuesday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Resurrection Lutheran Church leadership dispute intensifies with accusations of assault, theft, sabotage

Pastor removed, lawsuit lingers as competing groups try to continue worship services, food pantry.

Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Updated vote counts show Begich, repeal of ranked choice voting likely to prevail

Most ballots uncounted on Election Day have now been tallied, with final results due Nov. 20.

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

Most Read