For more than five decades, I-Days have been one of Lane Tech’s most captivating traditions. This celebration of culture has grown into an experience that shapes leadership skills, community, and connections. For many students, I-Days have become much more than a performance. 

“I-Days has helped me bond with a lot of people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met,” said Chinese Club’s Vice President, junior Amelia Wang. “It’s helped me build a community that connects with my culture.” 

For many Lane Tech students, this rings true. With over 33 ethnic clubs and numerous students involved in I-Days, they have become a meaningful and unique part of the school’s high school experience.

Wang said that her experience and position in the Chinese Club have definitely helped to grow her organizational skills. “Having 20 people working with you is a lot, and you need to stay organized for everyone to know what they’re doing,” Wang said. Wang’s involvement in I-Days highlights the impact the event can have on students, especially those in leadership roles. 

Junior Cailtyn Faul, Romanian Club President, has seen her leadership skills develop  through I-Days. Coordinating practices and leading dances for her club members can be difficult, she said, but it has helped her grow.  “I’ve had to evolve into not only learning the dance myself, but teaching a dance too,” Faul said.

Audrey Beebe, a junior in the Polynesian Club, mentioned how she has also seen student leaders taking ownership and pride in I-Days. Specifically with club leaders, she said, “I think the people with these roles take it very seriously, and really want the best for their club.” 

Presidents aren’t the only students experiencing the benefits of I-Days. Students in non-leadership roles also report growth they have noticed.

Senior Theo Balustein, a member of the Pakistani club, said I-Days have positively impacted his high school experience, helping him to meet new people and become more social.

Although the club does not align with his cultural background, Balustein said the opportunity to learn about a different culture made his I-Days experience more interesting. 

Beebe similarly shared that her involvement in I-Days helped to improve her time management skills. “I’ve definitely learned to better manage my time with homework and other activities to make time for this commitment,” she said. 

Beebe and Faul also mentioned how participating in clubs outside of their own cultural identities helped to broaden their perspectives. “Learning Tahitian dance has definitely expanded my cultural knowledge of a different part of the world,” said Beebe. Similarly, Faul said, “I’ve become a lot more open-minded, being influenced by a culture that’s not my own.”

Faul also said that she’s tried her best to be very communicative with club members and “be as respectful as I can to the culture.” 

In addition to leadership, I-Days also require a significant time commitment, which students such as Wang and Faul highlighted. Faul said her club normally practices around 3-4 hours a week, after school and on weekends. And Wang noted that “when we get closer to I days, it definitely becomes a bigger time commitment, but in the beginning and end of the year, it’s not a lot.”

This sense of community and tradition isn’t new and has existed at Lane for many generations. According to the Lane Tech website, I-Days have long been a part of Lane Tech’s culture, and will be approaching their 56th anniversary this year. 

Students at Lane show no signs of letting this tradition die, and express their excitement for the future of I-Days. Wang said if she could give a piece of advice to younger students interested in I-Days, she would say, “Go for it, because it’s really a special experience that you can only find at Lane.”