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Panther Lake Elementary Students and Staff Share AANHPI Heritage

  • Cultural Appreciation
Panther Lake Elementary Students and Staff Share AANHPI Heritage
presenters at the Panther Lake AANPHI assembly

Panther Lake Elementary’s gym filled with energy and pride as scholars celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month during their assembly. The event brought together students and staff to celebrate culture, identity, and community. It was an opportunity to learn and connect as both students and staff shared pieces of who they are.

Three students took the stage to present their cultures, each offering a unique perspective rooted in family, tradition, and lived experience. Third grader Jz-Tomson spoke about his heritage from Kosrae in Micronesia and his connection to Hawaii, where he was born. Reflecting on his presentation, he shared, “My favorite thing to talk about were the facts about the island, and the legends were cool,” highlighting how storytelling is an important way he connects to his culture.

presenters at the Panther Lake AANPHI assembly

Fellow third grader Toamalama shared about Samoan culture, focusing on traditions that bring people together. “I told them about how to dance and music and dancing and food… and I showed them my flag and where Samoa is,” he explained. Another student presenter, Nafanua, also highlighted Samoa, describing the importance of celebrations in her culture. “Some of those special days are weddings and birthdays… we get to do special dances… it excites everybody,” she said, emphasizing how joy and community are expressed through cultural gatherings. Together, the student voices painted a vivid picture of traditions rooted in family, pride, and shared experience.

Alongside the students, three staff members also presented, demonstrating that cultural pride extends across all ages. Their participation reinforced the message that identity is something to be celebrated throughout life. Cravioto noted how meaningful it is when students see both peers and adults “celebrate themselves,” helping inspire confidence and courage in others to do the same. The combination of student and staff voices created a powerful, unified message of representation.

Events like this are part of a broad effort at Federal Way Public Schools to ensure every student feels recognized and valued. By creating opportunities for students to share who they are, the district continues working toward its goal of making every student feel seen—and as a result, empowered and confident in their culture, their background, and themselves.

a student looks over a straw hat passed around during the AANHPI assembly

 

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