Excited chatter fades as students enter the Kahoot game code to determine which winners will get the extra kabobs after a presentation about Iran. Each Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Club meeting has a similar structure and focuses on one country: a historical and cultural presentation, a sample of a traditional dish, and a Kahoot quiz with the prize being leftover food.
At the most recent meeting on March 27, faculty advisor Elizabeth Hilmy started the meeting with a historical presentation on Iran, which gave students context about the country’s traditions.
“My presentation on the history of Iran highlighted the ancient origins of Persia as a cradle of civilization,” Hilmy shared.
“Despite many eras of occupation dating back to Alexander the Great, Iranians maintain a distinct language and culture.”
Next, Iranian American students led a cultural presentation about their heritage. “I was really excited to teach students about my culture,” said Doreen, one of the presenters.
AAPI’s mission extends beyond education—the club strives to create an inclusive and diverse community where students can celebrate their cultures and identities.
The club also advocates for Asian American acceptance, especially in communities where there is little to no representation.
“I think that AAPI is a good opportunity for finding community through Asian culture,” said David Lee, cofounder and president. “I think that it’s important to recognize that to be Asian American in Texas is to be a 2% minority, which can often lead to feelings of isolation and estrangement because of our cultural heritage.”
Cofounder Caydenn Angeles also emphasized the personal growth that AAPI inspired.
“Founding AAPI with two of my friends has allowed me to make a deeper connection and appreciated my culture and Asian culture in general,” he shared.
“Growing up whitewashed without any knowledge of what it’s like to be Filipino affected how I interpreted my culture, and I feel that AAPI has helped a lot with fixing my perspective. Though I didn’t expect AAPI to have such an impact on my confidence and leadership skills, I have never created a community for myself before, and being a founder has pushed me to expand my ability to take charge.”
AAPI was refounded this year at Ray High School after years of inactivity. Its revival has made many students enthusiastic about exploring their heritage and the future of their club.
“Bringing AAPI back to Ray has been really fulfilling,” said Lee. “It’s exciting to see how much we’ve grown in such a short time.”
AAPI’s influence isn’t just limited to Ray High School—it serves as a model for other schools and communities to create spaces advocating for cultural acceptance. Ultimately, the club’s success lies in the joy and sense of belonging that the club creates for all its members.
“I wanted to create a positive community with my friends that would help combat negativity,” Lee said.
“I also feel that it’s such an enjoyable experience every single meeting, I find that everyone is laughing and enjoying themselves by the end of the meeting and I’m so appreciative that my team of founders, Caydenn and Michael, have helped me establish such a strong community,” he added.
Looking ahead, AAPI has big plans for the future. They plan to host various fundraisers, community events, field trips, and look into volunteer opportunities with organizations supporting AAPI causes.
