In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month in May, GA’s Asian American Student Association (AASA) organized a series of different events. These events, ranging from community time activities to poetry readings, serve as a reminder of the diverse and rich culture within the GA community. Behind these celebrations are the dedicated student and faculty leaders who work tirelessly to ensure that AAPI Month is a time of education and celebration.
“I’m excited to work with students. Period,” AASA faculty advisor Mr. Jonathan Na said. “But there’s something about being a mirror and a window that’s really important to me. It’s of value to us to make sure that Asian students in the Upper School are cared for, seen, and supported.”
“We really need to support our AAPI students here so we can be heard,” Ms. Tsung Tsai, a Chinese teacher and faculty advisor of AASA said. “That’s why we keep moving forward.”
These events have only been a recent addition to the school’s calendar, spanning approximately three to four years. Initially, the focus was on simple displays such as posters, but over time, the celebrations have evolved into interactive experiences that educate and engage the school community.
“The first year, we simply decorated a board to signify AAPI Month,” Ms. Tsai said. “But after the pandemic, we began incorporating interactive activities inspired by Asian culture, such as cultural tents and educational quizzes.”
“In the future, we’re talking about having student speakers speak on their experiences in GA and in their lives as members of the AAPI community,” Blair Mitchell ‘25, an AASA student leader, said.
Over the years, AAPI Month celebrations at GA have become more inclusive and expansive, encompassing a broader spectrum of Asian cultures and identities, especially acknowledging the contributions of Pacific Islanders and lesser-known Asian ethnicities.
“In an ideal world, AAPI heritage would be celebrated every day,” Mr. Na said. “Our goal is for AAPI Month to become ingrained in the culture of GA.”
“At GA, you can see that there are a lot of Asian students here, and Asian students make up a lot of the classes therefore the class dynamic is also influenced by Asian students,” Mitchell said. “I think that especially with the way Asian students are brought up by their parents, they have a lot of different perspectives of their culture which can be shared with others around them, and that helps to strengthen the community.”
The planning process for AAPI Month events involves collaboration and brainstorming among AASA leaders, with a focus on creating meaningful and culturally relevant activities.
“As we started doing this, the school started to be more and more supportive,” Ms. Tsai said.
Through education, reflection, and celebration, AAPI Month fosters a greater understanding and appreciation for the rich culture and diversity of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage within the GA community.