April marks the start of Syracuse University’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebration! AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the rich history, traditions and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. All activities are open to members of the campus community without regard to race, gender, national origin or other characteristics.
While AAPI Heritage Month is nationally recognized in May, the University’s celebrations take place in April so that students are able to participate in a full month of festivities. Keep reading to learn more about a few of the upcoming events for this very special month, and be sure to visit the AAPI Heritage Month webpage for a full list of activities and information!
AAPI Heritage Month Information Fair and Kickoff
Dive into all things AAPI culture at the AAPI Heritage Month Information Fair and Kickoff! Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) as well as the AAPI Heritage Month Planning Committee will be tabling in the Atrium in Schine Student Center from 2-6 p.m. on April 1. Come learn about campus departments and student organizations that celebrate the AAPI community!
AAPI Heritage Month Trivia
Flex your trivia muscles on April 15 and head to the Hall of Languages for AAPI Heritage Month Trivia from 8-9:30 p.m.! Work together with friends to answer rapid-fire questions on AAPI culture, traditions and more!
AAPI Heritage Month Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop
Welcome the start of spring and AAPI Heritage Month with Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Learn how to master this delicate skill that has been practiced in Japan for centuries and take home a beautiful bouquet! This exciting event will take place on April 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. in 304ABC Schine Student Center.
Mr. ASIA 2025: A Night at the Oscars
Spend a night at the Oscars with Asian Students in America (ASIA) and watch Mr. ASIA 2025 be crowned! Mr. ASIA is a beauty pageant and talent show composed of male-identifying student contestants held live in Goldstein Auditorium. Each year, ASIA invites an AAPI celebrity judge to choose Mr. ASIA. If you want to find out who the special guest is this year, you’ll just have to go to the show on April 19 from 7-10 p.m.! Mr. ASIA is one of ASIA’s biggest events, so you won’t want to miss it!
AAPI Heritage Month Badminton Tournament
Are you up for some friendly competition? If you are, be sure to compete in the AAPI Heritage Month Badminton Tournament on April 20 from 1-4 p.m. in the Flanagan Gym in the Barnes Center at The Arch! Everyone is welcome to register for the tournament, available through IMLeagues. Teams will be divided by skill, from beginners to advanced. Even if badminton isn’t your thing, you can cheer on your friends from the sidelines!
Flores De Mayo
Flores De Mayo, or “flowers of May” in Spanish, is a Catholic festival celebrated in The Philippines. For the entire month of May, Filipinos pay their respects to the Virgin Mary through prayer, offerings and processions. The month ends with the Santacruzan, a ritual pageant that recreates the finding of the Holy Cross. Syracuse University’s Flores De Mayo celebration, hosted by the Filipino Student Association, will take place on April 27 in The Underground in Schine from 8-9 p.m . and is open to all!
Written By Daisy Polowetzky ’27, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications