Marysville students celebrate Asian culture

Marysville High School is home to a variety of student clubs and organizations, such as Key Club, Small Business, Drama, Creative Writing and California Scholarship Federation. One of the most active clubs on campus is the Asian Culture Club. The members of ACC participate in several fundraisers and community and school activities throughout the year.

In the recent football homecoming parade, themed "Around the World," the ACC did a wonderful job sharing its culture with the rest of MHS. President Yee Xiong, a senior, said: "The theme was perfect, and we took action quickly. Dressing up in our traditional clothing helped us win the club float competition."

Junior Tristen Yang said, "I played the Hmong flute, the qeej, a very popular instrument in the Hmong culture. It was difficult to play it while walking in the parade, but I enjoyed it."

Junior Kathy Vue was glad that all the "ideas and work they put into making the float got them first place in the club competition."

ACC's float, beautiful outfits and traditional music helped make the theme much more authentic.

ACC seems to be a family-oriented club, whether the members are related or not. Both Yee and Tristen were inspired to join by their older siblings, all members of ACC. Tristen said, "The club is a part of me. My older brothers joined, and I wanted to represent who I am and where I come from. I wanted the chance to keep my culture alive."

Kathy said that the most meaningful part of being in ACC is "that we're a team and we work together on everything. We're connected."

Yee said that ACC has "awesome people" bound by a "sense of belonging." She said that members of the club even help each with college and scholarship applications. All members are glad to learn more about their culture and share it with others. ACC members' ability to work together is probably the most important factor in their success.

During the school year, ACC has several fundraisers to help pay for its end-of-the-year trip. They sell delicious homemade egg rolls and Valentine's Day carnations. In April, ACC hosts a talent show. Yee said that they have a "great turnout every year," and that the club "provides free food with lots of entertaining performances." The talent show is ACC's biggest fundraiser of the year, and students at MHS look forward to it.

This weekend, ACC is participating in the Marysville/Yuba City Hmong New Year celebration. ACC makes sure to give back to their school and the community.

Karah Kemmerly is a senior at Marysville High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.