New Club Brings Awareness to Asian American Pacific Islanders
May marks Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to raise awareness and educate others about AAPI culture. Avery Lazaro ’26 recognized the need for this kind of awareness at Saint Mary’s. “It has been my mission in leadership positions to spread awareness of our underrepresented communities on campus, and that includes AAPI,” Lazaro says. In 2024, she made good on that mission by launching the Asian American Pacific Islanders club on campus.
Lazaro started the club from the ground up, gaining support not only from the Saint Mary’s community but also from Notre Dame’s Asian American Association. Along with her AAPI board members (Vice President Lucy Vung Nu ’27, Treasurer Maura Mack ’26, Social Media Coordinator Hailey Casares ’25, Outreach Officers Kayla York ’26 and Hannah Walsh ’28, Freshman Representative Francesca Bernarte ’28, and Secretary Isabelle “Aya” Merrell ’28), Lazaro began outreach efforts to raise awareness about the newly established organization. They also launched fundraising initiatives, the most successful of which was the sale of custom Le Mans embroidered
crewnecks. The project was a major success, generating funds to support and sustain the group.
With help from fellow Belles, the AAPI Club hosted a variety of engaging events, including a Filipino American History Day celebration featuring trivia and boba tea (also known as bubble tea, a sweet, customizable tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan and typically includes milk and chewy tapioca pearls). They also collaborated with the Student Diversity Board to host a Lunar New Year celebration, further strengthening their presence and impact on campus.
Lazaro shared how important it is to her and many others to create a space where AAPI culture can be celebrated and shared across campus. The goal, she explained, is not only to uplift Asian American and Pacific Islander voices but also to welcome anyone who wants to learn, support, and help raise awareness. The club’s impact was recognized when it was nominated and received the Legacy of Impact Award at the 2024–2025 Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, a meaningful honor for the group. The award served as a powerful validation of the founding members’ commitment to building a lasting community.
“Our mission is to continue offering events and programs that both educate others about AAPI culture and foster a strong sense of community and belonging,” Lazaro said. “Before our club was established, AAPI students had little to no representation, so there is still significant progress to be made. One of our long-term goals is to establish a diversity scholarship to support future students and further promote inclusion.” The club is committed to building a lasting legacy that empowers generations to come.
To stay connected with the Asian American Pacific Islanders Club and all their accomplishments, follow along on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smc_aapiclub/