UF biology freshman Naba Zabih walked through rows of tables highlighting Asian-American student organizations Monday night.
"I feel like everyone should celebrate their culture and background," said the 18-year-old, who attended Asian Kaleidoscope Month’s opening ceremony in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
AKM was created to celebrate Asian American culture at UF. The opening ceremony kicked off the month’s festivities, which are hosted by the Asian American Student Union. They will also host the Mr. and Ms. AASU Pageant, a fashion show and Asian food festival.
The events are a good way to "promote diversity on campus, really kind of...dispel stereotypes, racism," said Vivian Nguyen, AASU’s executive director.
Student Government gives AASU about $35,000 to host the month’s events, said AKM’s finance director Mausam Trivedi, a 21-year-old UF hospitality and event management junior. Sponsors gave another $500 in donations and $250 in prizes.
The events are free for UF students and the Gainesville community, said Nguyen, a UF biochemistry and food science and nutrition senior.
Give2Asia, which helps underprivileged students in Asia, was announced as AKM’s philanthropy project at the ceremony.
AASU will partner with other diversity groups on campus, like the Hispanic Student Association, Pride Student Union and Students Taking Action Against Racism.
At the opening ceremony, Student Body President Joselin Padron-Rasines said she likes that multicultural organizations are partnering.
"It’s important for Student Government to help organizations put on events like this to celebrate culture," she said.
Zabih said it’s important to celebrate other cultures.
"It’s awesome that we are a melting pot, but it’s good to stand out," she said.
Nikki Nguyen, a 21-year-old UF sociology junior and Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sister, laughs with a friend while representing her sorority at the 2015 Asian Kaleidoscope Month opening ceremony Sept. 21, 2015. "Our sorority got a pink rose for one of our sisters for her first public performance," Nguyen said.
