The Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander event was held on May 6 in the auditorium. A team of 10 students worked together for weeks to prepare decorations and plan the lighting and performances for the event.
“Trying to time the curtains and the lighting and the sound – trying to get all of the moving parts to work together,” Beadleston said. “You want to make it seem like a smooth transition, like this is just magically happening.”
This was the third year of the Asian Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Heritage Program (AANHPI). Bob Wallace was the original teacher sponsor years ago, but after his retirement, the Asian Student Union stopped existing.
“When he retired, nobody picked it up for a couple of years until Bella Sisombath, who graduated last year, asked if I could sponsor it,” Beadleston said.
Underclassmen show value towards the senior leaders.
“Since most of our pretty good people like Sawyer and Stella are heading out, I’m a little anxious that I might have to step up into a leadership role more than just being a Secretary.” Junior Jimmy Dinh-Phan said. “But I have high hopes.”
Beadleston is very excited to see who will emerge as the group’s new leaders.
“Everybody plays a little part, and then some people want to squeeze in here and there, and it’s just kind of cool to see who’s really good at what,” she said. “Everyone contributes their different strengths to make it all happen.”
This year marked a significant change in the program because of increased funding, so they were able to include the KU Lion Dancing team.
“With being a newer club, we have not had the budget in the past to include something like the lion dancers,” senior Co-President Stella Mages said. “So I am very ecstatic that we were able to afford it.”
Beadleston was impressed with the team, showing enthusiasm about the crowd’s reaction.
“Everyone was so high-energy, and I like that,” Beadleston said. “They interacted with the crowd, and hearing the crowd roar from backstage was really cool.”
Senior Co-President Mages thought that the event was a success.
“I am from the bottom of my heart very proud of everyone who put all the work in to make the program as amazing as it was,” Mages said.