Queens youth took the stage at the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) annual Cultural Day. Over 250 PAL participants from all five boroughs attended the Cultural Day. PAL’s Harlem Center, is located at 441 Manhattan Avenue on Friday, August 9th.

The theme of this year’s event, “Reimagine the Magic,” opened up a world of creativity for third and fourth graders as they reimagined and recreated some of their favorite movies.

The youth gave the films their modern interpretation, including a colorful display that connected the Polynesian islands from “Moana” with the world of Wakanda from “Black Panther.” The event included a parade of homemade banners representing the participating PAL centers, lively chants, and interactive booth displays that showcased the youth’s knowledge of the films they were studying. In addition, audiences welcomed performances by PAL members in costume.

Two participating Queens PAL centers, Edward Bryne Center in South Jamaica and Goldie Maple Academy in Far Rockaway took first and third place respectively in the overall award for the cultural day. Other award categories were Best Banner and Chant, with PALs William J. Duncan Center in Manhattan, Best Interactive Booth, won by PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in Queens, and Best Performance, also won by PAL’s Edward Byrne Center. Webster Center in the Bronx and the Duncan Center in Manhattan shared second place in the “Overall Cultural Day Award” category.

The Culture Day featured screenings of the films Black Panther, Hercules, Camp Rock, High School Musical, West Side Story, Big Hero 6, Alice in Wonderland, Lilo and Stitch, Coco, Moana, The Emperor’s New Groove, Encanto, Inside Out, and The Princess and the Frog. As part of PAL’s 2024 curriculum theme, Reimagine the Magic Curriculum, participants learned about the stories and cultural backgrounds portrayed in their selected films.

Meredith Gray, PAL’s director of program development and partnerships, said Culture Day is a time to bring joy to all participants.

“On Culture Day, we not only celebrate what they have learned and created this summer, but we also provide an opportunity to highlight the joy and excitement they all have as PAL participants,” she said.

Tyler, 10, of PAL’s Edward Bryne Center, described some of the life skills he learned while studying the movie “Black Panther.” “I learned how to be a good leader and that accessories have so much power. For example, masks protect you from negativity, bracelets can be used to communicate with each other, and headbands calm you down and let you breathe better when you’re worried,” he said. “I learned how to work together as a group to protect what you love. The hardest part was learning the chants, but we did it!”

Other young people talked about what they liked most about the learning experience. “The Movie ‘Camp Rock’ “It was fun to watch and learn about the character who had to work in the camp kitchen to attend music camp,” said Chelsea, 11, of PAL’s Goldie Maple Academy.

Founded in 1914, the Police Athletic League in New York City is a nonprofit organization that provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 15,000 children and youth each year.