Students celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

At just 11 months old, senior Caroline Murphy made her journey from an orphanage in Taihe, Jiangxi, China, to begin life in the United States. Her parents were part of a close-knit adoption group that gathered regularly for connection, support, and shared experiences throughout the adoption journey. Remarkably, two other families in the group adopted the girls who had been Caroline’s roommates in China. Over the years, the families have remained in touch, even organizing a trip to China together last year, creating a lasting sense of community among the families.

This month, Caroline shared her story during Harpeth Hall’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month assembly, an annual tradition that celebrates the stories, cultures, and experiences of the AAPI community at Harpeth Hall.

Caroline spoke with grace and pride about her personal journey. Though her background may differ from that of many of her classmates, Caroline embraces her story. Surrounded by friends and supported by her family’s commitment to maintaining a connection to her heritage, Caroline has built a strong sense of identity and belonging. In her remarks, she encouraged students to stay curious about the world around them and to ask about one another’s experiences.

Every May, the United States honors the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 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.

This year marked the first time the AAPI Heritage Month assembly was organized by the Asian Student Association, a newly formed upper school affinity group led by junior Hanna Jung, and seniors Lily Wang and Ashley Maliakal. The group was established to celebrate community, promote cultural understanding, and offer a space for connection..

“It’s been amazing to see how quickly ASA has grown into a supportive and fun group,” said Hanna, who is this year’s president of the organization. “People feel welcomed.”

During the all-school assembly, Hanna shared her passion for music and a piece of her culture through a moving duet performance of “The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto.” This piece blends Western orchestral traditions with Chinese musical elements to tell a timeless story of love, loss, and transformation.

Middle school students Stephanie Guo and Lyla Yang also participated in the assembly, each wearing traditional clothing that reflected their heritage. Stephanie, wearing a traditional dress called a qipao, spoke about her family’s tradition of gathering to make dumplings during Chinese holidays. Lyla, dressed in the long-sleeved jacket and wrapped skirt of a Korean hanbok, introduced the audience to Doljanchi — a special tradition held on a child’s first birthday that is said to predict her fortune as she grows.

The assembly concluded with a high-spirited chopstick competition between grades and a K-pop dance performance from the Animaga club that had all the students on their feet dancing.

“Thank you for your willingness to learn more about Asian heritage and culture…We are grateful for the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate AAPI month,” the Asian Student Association officers said as the assembly concluded. “We hope that through this assembly, we were able to share our pride with you all.”

Through storytelling, music, tradition, and joy, this year’s AAPI Heritage Month assembly was a shared celebration that will resonate throughout the month and beyond.