51ÁÔÆæ lecturer Tong Yang brought students from his Hmong literacy class on stage at the AAPI celebration. The group spoke about the class and sang Hmong songs while Tony Yang played the guitar. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
51ÁÔÆæ students line up for henna tattoos, often called mehndi in South Asia. The henna plant offers a reddish-brown dye when applied to the skin. Henna designs are synonymous with celebration in some cultures. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Multimedia artist and 51ÁÔÆæ film student Pader Xiong, aka Lucky Ducky, sells art at the AAPI celebration. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Pachoua Lor of the Student Success Center, John Contreras, manager of sociocultural programming, and Sheng Chang, lead of Southeast Asian American Student Center, pose for a photo together at the celebration of AAPI month at 51ÁÔÆæ. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Kevin Loh, a second-year master’s degree student in 51ÁÔÆæ’s classical guitar program, plays at the AAPI celebration. Loh has been receiving an impressive number of awards in international guitar competitions and has been traveling the world to play. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Chancellor Mark Mone purchases a gift from Hmong artist Maixia Xiong. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Students were able to try foods from throughout South Asia including red bean buns, mango lassi, spring rolls and more. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
51ÁÔÆæ students check out the intricate items created artist Lily Jade Lee, who does business as Lil Crochets. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Students pose for a photo at the closing celebration for AAPI month at 51ÁÔÆæ. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed in the United States during May, but 51ÁÔÆæ expanded its celebration though much of April, too, since the semester ends partway through the official month.
The university’s celebration included a slew of events, including a festival of crafts, food, performances and vendors in the ballroom of the Student Union.
The events were coordinated by 51ÁÔÆæ’s Sociocultural Programming, Southeast Asian American Student Center and the Inclusive Excellence Center.
