Sandia celebrates Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month

Almost 600 Sandians, friends, families, and members of the community came out to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History earlier this month to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

After welcoming remarks from Museum Director Jim Walther, Associate Labs Director for Mission Assurance Mark Sellers, and Sandia Chief Diversity Officer Esther Hernandez, attendees were treated to dances and demonstrations by several Albuquerque-based troupes and organizations, including a lion dance, a Polynesian dance, Taiko drumming, a children’s dance, Mongolian dance and singing, a martial arts demonstration, food sampling, origami, floral arranging, and more.

The event was sponsored by Sandia’s Asian Leadership & Outreach Committee (ALOC), Talin Market, and Chopstix Chinese Cuisine. Vendors included the Asian Family Center, Ikebana International Chapter 41, Japan America Society of NM Inc., Ichiyo School of Ikebana – Albuquerque Chapter, the New Mexico Chinese School of Arts & Language, and Kimo’s Hawaiian BBQ Food Truck.

The planning committee included Tim Crofton, Shivonne Haniff (5421), Jennifer Hayden, Ung Tae Jeong (9358), Tian Ma (6321), Claudia Madrid, Tammy Strickland (9352) (ALOC chair), and Lili Xiao (5355).