RCDS celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Month with special programming and events.
Throughout May, the RCDS community celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. Various events and celebrations on campus recognized the historical and cultural impact Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have had on our society and culture.
The month started with AAPI discussions and trivia in advisory, as well as sharing fun facts about faculty and staff of AAPI descent. Throughout the month, various AAPI month events took place.
MS AAPI Fair
Chinese Language students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 organized an AAPI Fair in the PAC Foyer. With guidance from Dr. D.D. Huang, the students worked collaboratively, each taking responsibility for a specific table activity. This unique and engaging cultural fair drew the curiosity and excitement of many other Middle School students, encouraging exploration and interaction.
The fair included tables with the following activities:
- Chinese Calligraphy & Brush Painting
- Ping Pong
- Trivia related to Asian Culture
- Chopsticks Demonstration & Competition
- Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Clothing Demonstration
- Traditional Asian Games, such as Mahjong
- Fortune Cookies
- Origami
US Community Meeting
At Community Meeting, the Upper School AAPI club hosted a talent show featuring the orchestra playing an original composition titled "Empire of Roses" by James Song '25 and conducted by Ayush Maini ’24.
Connor Rusch ’25 presented the interdisciplinary independent study completed by Celine Fong ’24. Celine’s culminating project combines her art, poetry, and prose vignettes into an original book.
Wildcats Around the World
The RCDS lunch-and-learn series Wildcats Around the World featured students of AAPI heritage sharing their traditions and cultures with the community. Moderated by Taeko Fueno '25 and Connor Rusch '25, the featured panelists were: Charanaath Badrinath '26, Lincoln Feng '26, Claire Jiang '26, Max Lee '25, and Selena Zhang '26.
Affinity Space
The leaders of the Upper School AAPI Club facilitated an affinity space for students in Grades 7 and 8 to discuss their Asian American identities.
MS Community Meeting Performance
To conclude the month, the Middle School Community Meeting featured a presentation on AAPI Month. Several Middle School students, including Grade 6, 7, and 8 Chinese Language students, performed a dance to a Chinese song that translates to “You are really beautiful when you smile.”
All of the student participants worked hard to take initiative, practice, and show and share their appreciation for their culture with the entire school community.
Lower School
In the Lower School, teachers conducted APPI-themed read-alouds in the classrooms, and some classes had guest visitors and readers.