Jerome Star gripped the skinny wooden chopsticks in his right hand and pinched them open and closed.

He did not exactly master the traditional Chinese utensils, but a lesson Monday at his school's Friendship Day cultural celebration gave him a little more confidence to use them the next time he orders out.

He also decided, after watching a demonstration of a traditional Hawaiian dance, that he would like to visit the island state one day.

"They have delicious cakes, " explained Star, a 14-year-old student at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside.

Friendship Day is an annual event at the Riverside campus, one of two statewide.

Students prepared by studying other cultures and countries and by decorating the auditorium with flags from around the world and balloons.

"It's a fun way to get them to read and at the same time learn about someone else," said Bellvia Douglas, who works at the school and has helped organize the event the past four years. "We have kids here of all ethnic backgrounds."

Friendship Day started with just a handful of students and Douglas made all the food.

On Monday, nearly 65 students watched demonstrations of Hawaiian, South Pacific and traditional Mexican dances.

Then they feasted on standard fare from other cultures -- spaghetti from Italy, enchiladas from Mexico and egg rolls from China. Local restaurants donated the food.

The Hawaiian dancing impressed the students most.

"It's fascinating," 13-year-old Bobby Neil said.

"I'd never seen it before," 13-year-old Alajandro Aguirre said. "It looks fun."

About 500 students of all grades attend the California School for the Deaf, Riverside. The campus serves 11 Southern California counties from San Luis Obispo to the Mexican border.

Most students live on campus in residence halls.

Louise Knott Ahern can be reached by e-mail at lkahern@pe.com or by phone at (909) 782-7576.