The Asian Near Eastern Heritage Festival at HSPVA

Lauren De La Calzada, the APAA club president, introduces the festivities.

At HSPVA, the Asian Pacific American Alliance club (APAA) is a school club with the purpose of connecting people of different origins, sharing stories and personal experiences of being Asian-American, and experiencing or learning about other cultures. Throughout the year the club has held many events, socials and sales, to either raise money for a certain cause or the club itself, while spreading cultural awareness. Last week it held its annual Asian Near Eastern Heritage Festival.

A Lion Dancing duo performs.

The festival included information booths along with food from over 15 countries, performances showcasing different Asian and Near Eastern cultures, and other fun activities to exhibit the diversity of that area of the world. Countries ranging from Turkey to Indonesia were represented in the festival and students of origin from these countries were able to dress in traditional clothing as they shared their fascinating cultures with the rest of HSPVA. Some of the performances included Lion Dancing, traditional song and music presentations and martial art demonstrations. During the festival, the club also sold bubble tea, a Taiwanese milk-tea drink with tapioca, as well as did henna, a form of ancient Indian body art, for those interested.

Mr. Diosomito, the teacher sponsor of APAA, enjoys the festival.

The festival was an interesting experience, not only for other students at HSPVA, but for the club members themselves, and was a fun way to learn and experience different world cultures. It was a successful event and we cannot wait to hold it again next year!