Students in the Upper School’s Pan Asian Affinity group took on leadership roles as Ravenscroft hosted the Triangle-area Asian American Alliance Conference on Friday, Jan. 10.  The day-long event drew students and faculty from Saint Mary’s, Durham Academy and Cary Academy who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander.

The conference, “Preserving and Celebrating Cultural Legacy,” featured a keynote from Cyndy Yu Robinson, executive director of the Kramden Institute and former executive director of the National Association of Asian American Professionals, as well as student breakout activities, faculty and staff sessions with Robinson, and time for attendees to make connections with their peers from other schools. 

Despite a slightly abbreviated schedule in anticipation of inclement weather that afternoon, students and faculty who hosted the conference said they were thrilled to witness the results of their hard work.

“The conference at Ravenscroft brought together a diverse group of students to engage in discussions and activities centered around Asian culture and identity in preserving legacy,” Upper School history and social studies teacher Daniel Munns, who is one of the group’s advisors, said. “Our student leaders played a tremendous role in the set-up and execution of the conference.” 

“As a student leader, my main priority was to make sure that every student and every faculty member felt included and engaged with the environment we created,” Annika Gupta ’26 said of the planning process for the conference. “I wanted to make sure everyone was able to meet new people and have the opportunity to hear new stories. We made a huge effort to diversify the breakout discussion rooms to include students from different schools, different grades and different backgrounds.”

Fellow Pan Asian Affinity Group member Luke Thomann ’25 added that Robinson’s address, given early in the day, was a particularly important component of the program.

“Ms. Robinson really set the tone for the day. Finding her [as a keynote] was a miracle, as her speech really broke the ice with attendees and encouraged people to be comfortable in an environment full of new people,” he said. “Seeing everyone from different schools talking to each other during the breakout rooms and lunch was really gratifying, since I joined Pan Asian Affinity Group to find a community where I could connect with other people like me and explore an aspect of my identity I hadn't really been able to before.”

Affinity groups are a crucial component of Ravenscroft’s ongoing work in community, culture and belonging, bringing together students with a shared identity but separate unique experience to enjoy positive identity exploration, dialogue, support, development and empowerment. 

Ravens involved in this conference agreed that the event with peer schools did just that for attendees.

“The most important outcome of the conference is [realizing] how much you can learn from having simple conversations with people, even if they may come from similar backgrounds or have similar beliefs,” Annika said. “I am so grateful that I have been able to be a part of this conference, and I have so much appreciation for all the effort our Ravenscroft faculty put in to make the conference a day filled with so much joy!”