CSW Hosts Conference for and by Asian Students

CSW hosted the 5th Annual Asian American Footsteps Conference (AAFC) on Sunday, April 26, 2015.
CSW hosted the 5th Annual Asian American Footsteps Conference (AAFC) on Sunday, April 26, 2015.

The day-long conference, “This IS Who We Are,” was filled with workshops, activities and performances designed by and for Asian, Asian American and mixed heritage Asian students attending independent schools in New England. The Honorable Lisa A. Wong, mayor of the city of Fitchburg, gave the keynote address on what it means to be Asian in America.

Keynote speaker Mayor Lisa Wong told students, “Don't just follow the path that you think you need to. Follow the one that inspires you. It's time for discourse in activism.” An example of someone who has created her own authentic path, the fourth-term mayor is the first minority mayor in Fitchburg and the first female Asian American mayor in the Commonwealth. She has increased the city’s stabilization fund from $20,000 to more than $4,600,000, balanced the budget, lowered the crime rate, made significant capital improvements, and attracted private investment.

“CSW has participated in this conference since 2013,” explained Agnes Voligny, math teacher and Dean of Faculty originally from the Philippines. “Each conference was such an incredible affinity group experience that our Asian students felt compelled to host AAFC here, as an important affirmation of their strength and presence at CSW." 

AAFC was largely planned and implemented by the students – from entertainment to workshops to lunch. According to student leaders Zhuoran Yu '15 and Helena Siu-Zmuidzinas '15, the Organizing Committee worked together with the Asian Affinity Club to design the day to address Asian stereotypes and give participants opportunities to assert their authentic selves and create their own paths.

History teacher and club advisor Anjali Bhatia said, “The 2015 AAFC activities and events, including Mayor Wong’s inspiring remarks, further unified and affirmed our Asian students. It is critical that we continue to build on the conference momentum as well as other campus-wide activities held this year from a classical Indian (Bharatanatyam) dance workshop to the debut of a film about CSW students’ family lives to a performance of popular contemporary Chinese music.”

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.