Students celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Moving together in perfect unison, dancers swept their large, flower-covered fans through the air in graceful circles. 

The performers, members of the Korean dance group “Girls’ Generation,” were invited to Harpeth Hall for this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month assembly. The precise, wave-like choreography, timed to the beloved Korean folk song “Arirang,” set the tone for a vibrant celebration of culture.

Each May, the United States honors the contributions and influence of AAPI on the nation’s history, culture, and achievements. AAPI communities consist of approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries.

The stunning performance was just one of several student-organized presentations highlighting AAPI culture. 

Senior Myla Anglin, a student of Master Kim of ATA Martial Arts for six years, was excited to share her love of taekwondo with her Harpeth Hall peers. She invited some of the littlest martial artists from Master Kim’s studio to visit Harpeth Hall and perform a taekwondo demonstration.

With determination, 8-year-old Ellis Garaby stepped up to the stage. He took a deep breath and with a loud clap, delivered a powerful kick that split the board in front of him in half. As Ellis bowed, the theatre exploded in cheers and applause. Ellis, son of Harpeth Hall’s Auxiliary Programs Director Carol Garaby, was joined by three other students aged 8-11 who showed off their moves on stage. And that wasn’t all.

Hanna Jung, senior and president of the Asian Student Association (ASA), performed the classic Chinese song “The Moon Represents My Heart” alongside senior Charlotte Mikos. Eighth grade student Simeran Purohit presented on Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival symbolizing love, protection, and lifelong support between siblings. Junior Zarai Armstrong honored departing Chinese teachers Jingli Jurca and Julie Zhu with a heartfelt tribute. Between performances, students engaged in AAPI-themed trivia for club points.

The assembly concluded with a high-energy K-pop dance to TWICE’s hit “Fancy,” performed by the F.A.B.L.E. Club, which had all the students on their feet dancing. 

“Thank you for your willingness to learn more about Asian heritage and culture, and thank you to our Asian Student Association for your planning and support,” said sophomore Katelynn Liu, secretary of the ASA. “We are grateful for the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate AAPI month. We hope that through this assembly, we were able to share our pride with you all.”