Club celebrates Asian month with campus activities
By NICOLE HADDAD
Saint Mary's News Editor
The Asian Club of Saint Mary's College celebrates Asian month with various activities on campus throughout the month.
Proud of their success in raising awareness and enthusiasm among students of all backgrounds on Saint Mary's campus, the club is in its second year.
Co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Student Diversity Board, the club began after students expressed concern to Maria Orpeza, director of Multicultural Affars, that there wasn't an Asian organization on campus, said Asra Ashraf, president of the Asian Club.
Current events include lectures, an Asian Film Fest and a fundraiser for the Purple Rose Campaign, an organization that tries to stop sexual trafficking in third world countries.
"Next year, the club hopes to include the current events, as well as the addition of an Asian Festival, where students run various booths and tents with activities that raise enthusiasm and appreciation for the Asian culture," said Ashraf. One of the main goals of the club is to raise awareness of all Asian cultures.
"Not many people are aware of the diversity of the Asian culture. There's not one common language or culture from one part of the country to another. It's hard to relate to one another," said Ashraf. "The club allows us to get together and appreciate one another."
Not all members of the club are Asian. In fact, most are caucasian, including the vice president, junior Erin Schenz, and the treasurer, senior Karla Flores.
"Normally it seems culture clubs, except for language clubs, have one cultural background, but we have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds," said Schenz, "We're a welcoming group, and that's why we've been doing a great job of raising awareness."
All News Stories for Monday, March 26, 2001
