Stories, Art, and Community Highlight AAPI Heritage Month at Poly

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Poly celebrated it across campus with events honoring the diversity, creativity, and contributions of AAPI communities.

The Upper School’s Asian American Alliance (AAA) kicked off the month on April 29 with an assembly titled “Stories That Shape Our Legacy.” The program highlighted Asian American artists and explored how their work reflects identity, culture, and lived experience—and how those stories continue to shape the Poly community.

Led by AAA student leaders Kara K. ’27, Anya P. ’26, and Kaitlyn C. ’27, the assembly featured a panel of artists working in a variety of fields. Guests included Lenard Glenn, a performer with Disney; Matthew Geluz, a clinical researcher and visual artist; and Androu De Vera, who works in film production.

“In the past, we’ve highlighted student artwork, but this panel gave us a unique opportunity to hear from people who have found success in creative industries,” said Kara. “In a culture where there can be expectations to pursue certain careers, it was inspiring to see adults who created their own paths.”

With nearly 100 members, AAA continues to expand opportunities for Asian American students to connect and build community. Earlier this year, members participated in the Asian Educators Alliance conference at Harvard-Westlake School, where students and educators attended workshops on facilitating affinity spaces and developing ideas to increase visibility and belonging.

Following the assembly, the Upper School community gathered in McWilliams Courtyard to enjoy food representing China, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, and India, along with live musical performances by students.

“I am incredibly proud of the students and their faculty advisors for all of the time and love they put into this thoughtful assembly,” said Director of Equity and Inclusion Michaela Mares-Tamayo. “Hearing from artists further along in their careers gave students both a window and a mirror into what is possible. Coming together to celebrate the diversity within our AAPI community is deeply important. It was a wonderful way to kick off the month.”

For faculty advisor and Upper School Science Teacher Snow Lu, the celebration also underscored the importance of representation.

“Growing up, there weren’t many Asian American role models in schools or the media,” he said. “Being a teacher allows me to serve as that kind of role model and help students see someone who looks like them.”

In the Lower School, students in Panther Pods—cross-grade groups that include students from every grade level—celebrated with a lesson focused on the Pacific Islands. Students explored the many acronyms used to describe the month, including APISA (Asian Pacific Islander South Asian), APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American), and AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander), and discussed how each seeks to promote belonging under the AAPI umbrella.

“Regardless of the letters in the acronym, the goal is to be as inclusive as possible for those who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander,” said Director of Technology John Yen during a lesson in the Lower School library. “We foster belonging through our actions, not just our words.”

Students also learned about tapa cloth, a traditional fabric made from tree bark in island nations such as Samoa and Tonga. As part of the lesson, planned by Lower School faculty Joey Bacon, Jen Rodgers, Ivana Kovacevic, and Alex Velasco, students created tapa-inspired artwork to present to fifth graders as they prepare to move on to Middle School. The fifth graders were all smiles as they received the clothes.

Looking ahead, the Poly Asian Affinity Group (PAAG) will host an AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Debbie Reed Courtyard. The family event will feature Indian, Burmese, Hawaiian, and Filipino cuisine, along with culturally inspired activities for children.

PAAG has long advocated for AAPI heritage through events such as picnics, movie nights, and restaurant gatherings. This year’s AAPI celebration will be the group’s largest to date, showcasing a wider range of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions.

“By hosting this event, we hope everyone in the Poly community feels seen, valued, and welcomed,” said PAAG committee member Li Yang P ’26, ’31. “We’d like to foster the greater understanding, inclusion, and appreciation that make our Poly family stronger.”

The event will also have decorations from committee members Mindy Zhang P ’34 and Kamatchi Anand P ’31, ’39. For Kamatchi, some objects will be deeply personal including a playset passed down from her great-grandmother, a traditional carrom board game, and rangoli or Indian folk art with vibrant colors and patterns. She also shared that India’s national bird is a peacock, and it was said the first peacock in Arcadia was brought from India, so there will also be opportunities to create artwork around that history.

For committee member Janet Cho P ’31, the celebration carries special significance. “Asian Americans have contributed so much to the building of this country,” she said. “This is a space and a time for us to come together and feel proud of who we are as a community.”

Organizers hope this year’s gathering will become the foundation for even broader celebrations. “I want this event to be a stepping stone for the future,” said Kamatchi.

Don’t miss the PAAG AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on May 16!