External Service Spotlight

DIVISION 8!

Bayside High School Key Club: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Parade- 05/21/2023

“On May 21st, many Key Club members (and our district governor!) participated in the AAPI Parade held by the Better Chinatown organization! We had many opportunities to volunteer such as by helping with the dragon dancing or dressing in costumes like Elmo or a giant panda. Other volunteers performed small tasks like making Chinese flags that volunteers and viewers got to keep after. Everything was done to support the Asian community in light of AAPI Heritage Month. The parade began around 6th Avenue and 44th Street, then ended around 57th Street where everyone began hiking back to regroup. Besides volunteering, Key Club members also enjoyed shows. Before the parade began, event organizers from Better Chinatown were introducing many influential members of the AAPI community including Queens Congresswoman Grace Meng and ambassadors from the Philippines, Indonesia, China, and Bangladesh. The organizers also played classic Chinese songs—it was super nostalgic from just being there! it was It was definitely tiring across the board but the enthusiasm from the event organizers masked the laborious nature of the work; many people were worn out after runni dragon. If I learned anything from the parade, it’s that everyone will d back next year!”