Seminole High School’s Asian Student Association began the year with an exciting interest meeting that attracted students who were enthusiastic to get connected, socialize, and enjoy the diversity of Asian cultures. The club, which meets every other Friday, has become a place where students feel comfortable, make friends, and have fun discovering unique traditions.
On Fridays, ASA hosts a themed day for a specific culture. The first meeting featured Desi culture with authentic Desi food, music, and games. Every meeting showcases a different culture, like Middle Eastern or Chinese culture, introducing students to an entirely different variety of flavors and traditions. These activities give members a chance to experience the traditions of Asian cultures in a fun and energetic way. They also have larger events such as galas where students dress up, dance to Asian music, and enjoy various Asian foods.
For sophomore Shivaan Patel in the IB program, ASA is not a meaningless club meeting every other week. He states “I like ASA because it’s so cool to try new foods and learn about all of the cultures of Asia, and I believe that it unites the Asian community within our school.”
It is that sense of belonging that makes ASA special. It is a community where students with different backgrounds and experiences can come together, be themselves, and share pride about that with others.
For most students, ASA is their first chance to meet students with similar cultural backgrounds. Ashton Kuruvilla, an IB freshman, is attending ASA for the first time this year and looking forward to experiencing all the club has to offer. Ashton explains how “this is my first time going to an ASA meeting, and I am very excited to try the food and socialize with my fellow Asian students.”
Other than the food and music, ASA is all about our students and getting them to build connections. Every event is an opportunity to meet new people, learn something new, and just have a good time. It’s the kind of club where you walk in as strangers but leave with a bit more belonging.
Throughout the course of the year, ASA plans to keep bringing in new themes and ideas, so that Friday afternoons become something to look forward to. For students looking for a way to view diversity, to become friends, to exchange cultures, or just to get some good food, ASA is the place to be.