Gabrielino High School prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive campus, and nowhere is this more evident than in its cultural clubs. From celebrating holidays to sharing traditional foods and customs, these four clubs have given students a way to connect with their heritage and educate others.
Vietnamese Student Association
The Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) is a club that allows students to celebrate Vietnamese culture through food and cultural activities.
“We do food activities where we all bring different Vietnamese dishes,” shared VSA President Addyson Diep, senior. “One of my favorites is Bánh mì.”
As the VSA President, Diep aims to help Vietnamese students connect with their roots while also educating others about Vietnamese traditions. The club is planning several activities for the upcoming school year, including a tết celebration where they will introduce members to traditional Lunar New Year customs like giving red envelopes.
“I see how my members have become more proud of their culture and heritage. I’m happy to see them celebrate their Vietnamese background more,” Diep shared candidly.
VSA meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month in B235.
Chinese Culture Club
For Chinese Culture Club President Yingyue Zhang, senior, the mission of Chinese Culture Club is to keep Chinese culture alive among the student body.
“Every Chinese holiday, we have an activity to tell the story of why the holiday is important,” Zhang said with a smile.
One of the club’s biggest events is their Chinese New Year celebration, where members receive traditional red envelopes and learn about the customs surrounding the holiday. The club also holds cultural workshops throughout the year, teaching members about Chinese history, art, and food.
“Even though Gabrielino is mostly Chinese, I’ve noticed that many of my peers have become too Americanized and less familiar with their Chinese roots. My club is a way for those students to reconnect with that heritage,” Zhang shared.
Chinese Culture Club meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month in B135.
Japanese Culture Club
The Japanese Culture Club at Gabrielino is dedicated to bringing Japanese traditions and language to the forefront. “Very soon, we will be doing a language workshop where we practice drawing Japanese characters,” shared Japanese Culture Club President Sean Morita, senior. “There’s not much of a place to learn about Japanese culture in San Gabriel, so I wanted to create that opportunity for Gabrielino students.”
While San Gabriel is predominantly Asian, Japanese culture isn’t as represented; the Japanese Culture Club is a space for students to explore and celebrate it. The club is also planning cultural activities like a tea ceremony and workshops on Japanese art forms, including origami and calligraphy.
“I’ve seen a huge increase in interest in Japanese culture since I became president, and I’m excited to keep that momentum going,” Morita says.
Japanese Culture Club meets on the last Thursday of the month in E200.
Hispanic Heritage Club
Founded by Veena Sundaramoorthy, senior, the Hispanic Heritage Club seeks to celebrate Hispanic culture and uplift Hispanic students at Gabrielino.
“I started this club because there wasn’t a place for Hispanic students to celebrate their culture,” Sundaramoorthy stated. “I also wanted to encourage Hispanic students to succeed in school, as I’ve noticed that a significant number don’t complete their A-G requirements.”
The club has hosted a number of cultural events, including horchata fundraisers and a craft session where members made marigolds for Day of the Dead. Looking forward, Sundaramoorthy is organizing a panel discussion featuring past Hispanic Gabrielino students and high school seniors to offer academic guidance and inspiration to underclassmen.
“Our goal is to help Hispanic students connect with their culture in a meaningful way and also see themselves more in education,” Sundaramoorthy explained.
Hispanic Heritage Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month in B238.
