As we’ve all noticed recently, the Asian Student Union—also known as ASU, has been on the announcements a lot more this year. From the Korean BBQ at the beginning of the year to the Diwali celebration on Nov. 14, 2024, there have been constant announcements that ASU is participating in so many activities. And many are wondering; why the sudden change?
The answer lies with the change in presidency for the club. Previously, the club was extremely small, with only a president and vice president doing everything. Now, Violet Moon, President of ASU, has expanded the club greatly—including ASU’s presidency. Her vice president, Sophie Black, and the 8 other members of her presidency are helping so much with media exposure, meetings, events, etc.
Club rush was a strong start, more than doubling the number of club-members in that week alone. And this club isn’t limited to those of Asian descent. Many of those in the presidency itself aren’t of Asian descent. This inclusive club welcomes all to join in to learn and appreciate Asian culture and celebrations. Many were hesitant during club rush to join ASU because they weren’t of Asian descent, but as was mentioned, this club is open to all willing to learn more about the different cultures that make up Asia. Violet Moon says, “I think being able to work with such a diverse group of people is really important and essential for our club.”
With this club being so new to Herriman High, there are many new challenges. Moon says, “In the beginning, we had about twenty people in the club, but we were lucky if we got ten at meetings.” The club was first created last year, in the 2023-24 school year by a senior, whose original purpose for the club was to have an Asian-inclusive club, just like LIA or BSU. That doesn’t mean that no one else is invited—everyone is welcome to join.
During an interview, Moon mentions the biggest difficulties with becoming president. Among the many issues, she says that it has been a bit of a steep learning curve. The last president didn’t exactly set her up for an expansion of the club. If anything, she just handed Moon a blank canvas for her to paint her pictures. She was already starting at a disadvantage, taking into account that the club last year consisted of merely twenty people, only ten of whom actually went to meetings.
Despite those challenges, Moon, along with her presidency which includes around ten people, has been able to move forward and push her club outwards, reaching more people than her original goal. She says, “I had a plan, and I knew I was going to be able to reach that. If we already had twenty people in the club, I was very sure I could get 30 more and we could have at least fifty members.” This mindset—one that is confident and not willing to budge—was a key factor in her success. Many, when tackling a project or goal this big, become unsure and insecure. However, Moon makes it clear that confidence is absolutely necessary for this club.
As the year goes on, we hope to see ASU participate in more events. Potentially by the end of the year, ASU President Violet Moon will have surpassed her original goal by so much. Either way, we hope to see this well intentioned and inclusive club last for a long time and help many people make new friends. Moon says that she is setting the next generation of ASU presidency members up for success and passing on a much larger club than she was given, with the hopes that they will look back at the history of this club with pride.
