Victor Kim and Lydia Paek, MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew winners, stole the show at the opening ceremony for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Friday.
“”Ready or not here I come,”” Paek sung as she opens the final segment of the show, hosted by UA’s Asian Pacific American Student Affairs.
Kim and Paek are two members of the Asian American dance team, Quest Crew, the winners of America’s Best Dance Crew season three. The duo sang multiple songs and performed a freestyle break dance for the audience in the Social Sciences auditorium.
This year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month theme is Influencing Movement. The title represents a more powerful meaning than its literal interpretation. The goal of the the month’s events is to show how Asians are making incredible contributions throughout the world and taking a stance against stereotypes.
More than 300 people filled the auditorium’s seats, more than event planners expected.
“”The purpose of this month’s events is to celebrate Asian Pacific Americans and what they’ve done for history,”” said Dan Xayaphanh, APASA’s program director. “”APAs are making waves in the public eye through culture and pop.””
Student services fees, TRiO Arizona and the Asian American Faculty, Staff and Alumni Association sponsored the opening ceremony.
Since winning America’s Best Dance Crew, Kim and Paek have had many opportunities to positively portray Asians in the media.
“”I talk with humility and walk by beats,”” Paek said. “”If you do what you do and keep on going with it, that’s all that matters. That’s life.”” In response to a question about being Asian in the media, Kim responded, “”I love being Asian. You don’t see many Asians in the media at all. If you have something in your heart that you want to do, there shouldn’t be any obstacles.””
Other performers included The Dia Clones dance team, Jeff Bernat, Kat Badar and UA junior student “”June Bug.”” All performers at Friday’s event were of Asian decent.
“”June Bug was my favorite performer,”” said linguistics sophomore Christina Ho. “”I like when I can see Asian talent. It was a good experience that showed Asianness.””
A number of APASA members spoke at the event. Leo Yamaguchi, a member of the APASA senate and Associated Students of the University of Arizona senator, reminded the audience, “”It’s the experiences along the way that push, challenge and sometimes defeat you that are important.””