by Fiona Inamoto ’29, Contributing Writer for The Polygon

At Poly, the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) class block is an important time for students to connect and discuss issues related to their shared identity. Whether it be sexual orientation, race, religion, cultural background, or something else, each student can find a space where they feel comfortable and feel they belong. Students meet with their respective groups during DEIB, a 65-minute block that occurs once each rotation of the seven-day schedule. There are currently 13 Middle School affinity groups that meet during this block. Among these groups is AAPI: Asian-American and Pacific Islanders. AAPI is led by Chenyi Zhou, Middle School Mandarin teacher, Saranicole Marino ’06, Middle School history teacher, and Tamara Ling P’24, ’28, Human Resources Administrator. Once a cycle, Asian-identifying students in the fifth through eighth grades come together in a group that they identify with to interact with others in a safe space for conversation and community.

While DEIB helps students bond over their similarities, it can also help them recognize that diversity can be found even within their affiliated groups. James G. ’29 said, “[DEIB] gives you a great opportunity to explore and share about your ethnicity.” AAPI includes students of Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Indian, and other descent. In this affinity group, members examine both the overlaps and the differences between the cultures that are part of the larger group encompassed in AAPI. The group learns through a mixture of Asian movies and films, food, and presentations. In Zhou’s words, “What truly matters is that students have a community where they can connect with others who share similar identities and experiences—where they feel special but never alone.”

One of the most highly anticipated traditions in AAPI is the semi-annual potlucks. Food is an important part of many Asian traditions, and the AAPI group has embraced food as a way for its community members to share their individual cultures and learn more about others. As a way to celebrate the end of each semester, every student in AAPI is invited to bring in a food that represents their Asian heritage to share with the rest of the group. 

The potlucks are a beautiful manifestation of the diversity encompassed in the students’ Asian backgrounds. Japchae, shumai, mango lassi, donuts, and Pocky were just a few of the snacks included in the most recent potluck, which marked the end of the first semester of the 2024-25 school year. Potluck is James’ favorite tradition of AAPI. “It’s really interesting to see the different types of food people like and the foods that are brought from different cultures,” he said. 

The AAPI group not only shares traditions and cultures within the affinity space but also with the rest of the Middle School. During AAPI Month in May, as well as during Lunar New Year, the affinity group leads an assembly to discuss AAPI cultures with other students. Another member of AAPI, Kangsan D. ’29, shared that his personal highlight of the DEIB group was presenting during the AAPI Month assembly last May. He recalled, “It allowed me to discuss my heritage and cultures outside of the DEIB block. It also gave my classmates a chance to share their unique identities.”

AAPI’s success in helping students and teachers form relationships and safe spaces demonstrates the importance of DEIB to allow the Poly community to build better understandings of others. “As a Middle School Mandarin teacher,” Zhou reflected, “it has also been incredibly meaningful to connect with my students outside the classroom in a different way.” 

Note: This article was originally published in The Polygon‘s April 2025 issue.