It was a serving of food from the Asian infusion restaurant, MoPho, when Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action observed Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month during a campus luncheon, the last special event of the year.

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. In the Greater New Orleans area, the largest Asian population is Vietnamese. At the Students for Human Dignity & Diversity last official meeting of the year, their featured guest speaker for the month was Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen, the first Vietnamese/Asian member of the New Orleans City Council. Mrs. Nguyen shared how her family experienced a sometimes grueling journey to the United States when she was five years old.

Outgoing and incoming officers were acknowledged and thanked by Ms. Vallerie Maurice, Coordinator of the Unity in Diversity Initiative and moderator of the Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action. She presented outgoing president Elana Perriott with a bouquet of roses for her service. Ms. Maurice shared, “Elana was a founding member of the grassroots effort to create the student organization which began in the spring of 2018. She went on to become president by the spring of 2019. Elana blossomed into a strong activist for our student body and the lead student diversity trainer. Her dedication was infectious which is evident in the growth of the club.”

2020-2021 Officers

Haneen Awadallah (Co-Historian), Samantha White (Chaplain), Selae Walker (Vice President), Elana Perriott (President), Angelle Nash (Secretary), Emily Anding (Co-historian), and Kaylie Nguyen (Treasurer).

2021-2022 Officers

Olivia Kelly (Treasurer), Angelle Nash (Vice President), Haneen Awadallah (President), Emily Anding (Historian), Samantha White (Chaplain), and Kaylie Nguyen (Secretary).

2021-2022  Officers welcomed by the outgoing president

Olivia Kelly (Treasurer), Angelle Nash (Vice President), Haneen Awadallah (President), Elana Perriott (2020-2021 President), Emily Anding (Historian), Samantha White (Chaplain), and Kaylie Nguyen (Secretary).